This Weekend’s Big Match-Ups (Jan 6-9)
After we have finally welcomed the new year, sport has come back in a big way. The winter break that some sports have had is mostly over, and we’re back to big rivalries, huge matchups, and massive competition for the top prizes in sport all over the world.
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This week is no different, where we have huge clashes wherever we look, in multiple different sports. Read on for a comprehensive look at the biggest matches taking place this weekend.
English FA Cup: Man City - Chelsea (Jan 8th)
After the magic of the FIFA World Cup is finally over, the last week has been mostly about getting back to the normal schedule of club soccer, and the giants of Manchester City have set about trying to claim every trophy on offer this season. After a huge win against Liverpool last week in the Carabao Cup, they come up against a dangerous Chelsea side in the third round of the historic FA Cup this weekend.
Chelsea have had an inconsistent season so far, with new boss Graham Potter unable to completely solve his side’s attacking problems so far. They will be desperate to advance in the FA Cup, as it seems like the best chance Chelsea have of winning some silverware this season. However, their chances of winning against a rampant Manchester City side who play at home seem unlikely, with Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland scoring at will this season. City’s recent draw against Everton should give Chelsea hope, but Raheem Sterling will have to be on top form against his former side if they want to progress.
ENGLISH FA CUP SCHEDULE ON TV AND STREAM
NBA: 76ers @ Bulls (Jan 6th)
The Philadelphia 76ers have had a wildly inconsistent season so far in the NBA, currently in the fifth seed in the competitive Eastern Conference, with a 22-14 record as it stands. They have been overtaken by the rampant Brooklyn Nets and show no signs of being able to catch up to them, the Milwaukee Bucks, or last year’s finalists Boston Celtics. The twin powers of superstar center Joel Embiid and shooting guard James Harden haven’t performed as well as expected this season, and the surrounding cast has also been disappointing.
They come up against a Chicago Bulls team that has also had a disappointing season by their lofty standards from last season. The Bulls are in the 11th seed as it stands, and they have struggled to win close games and score enough points, even with their array of attacking talent. DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, Zach Lavine, and Nikola Vucevic should be enough firepower to blow past most teams, but they haven’t been able to gel as well as they should have this season. This matchup could go either way, but the 76ers just seem to have that much more cohesion and chemistry which should carry them home.
NFL: Chiefs @ Raiders (Jan 7th)
The ferocious offense of the Kansas City Chiefs, led by their superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, has been clicking all season after a slightly wobbly start. They currently boast a 13-3 record and are in the mix of the best teams in the league, with a great chance to get to, and maybe even win, the Super Bowl this year. Their defense has improved tremendously since a disappointing showing last season, and they should be amongst the top seeds for the playoffs.
Their opponents this weekend are the disappointing Las Vegas Raiders, who are on 6-10 and were eliminated from playoff contention last week following a 16-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. They will be looking to rebuild over the offseason, and even though they would love nothing more than to upset the Chiefs’s end to the regular season, it just doesn’t look like they have enough weapons to upset a strong Kansas defense.
Golf: Tournament of Champions (Jan 5th-8th)
This weekend marks the start of the PGA Tour's Tournament of Champions, and golf fans are in for a treat. This year's field is full of some excellent players, including favorite Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler, and international star Jordan Spieth.
Rahm, the current world number five, has won several titles in recent years and is considered one of the most consistent players in the sport. He's an aggressive player with a powerful game, and he will be a favorite to take home the trophy this weekend.
Scheffler is another young player who has been making waves in the golf world. He's a consistent performer with a strong short game, and he's sure to be a major factor this weekend.
Finally, Spieth is one of the biggest names in golf. He's a three-time major champion and has won multiple PGA Tour events, and he will be looking to add the Tournament of Champions title to his illustrious career.
This weekend's tournament promises to be exciting, with some of the best players in the world all vying for the title. It's definitely a tournament to watch and one that could prove to be a major factor in the golf world this year.
PGA TOUR SCHEDULE ON TV AND STREAM
Author: Dan Anderson