BRIGHTON COULD DO CITY A FAVOUR

LET’S SKIP the nibbles for a change – and go straight into the main course!

When it comes to footy this weekend, the heat is in London, kids. West Ham host Arsenal, where Samir Nasri will hope to get one over his old club.

As good as the Hammers are at “home”, Unai Emery’s charges are pretty potent, Look for goals, and also the away win.

Brighton then host log leaders Liverpool. For most, this should be a foregone conclusion, with the Scousers looking the business at the minute. However, their boat has been rocked by successive defeats in the league, and then the FA Cup.

This is an ideal chance for Klopp and his lads to get back on the horse, and nip any talk of wobble in the bud. Red seems to be the theme this weekend, so this Liverpudlian punt onto Sunday’s main meal is a jubbly double, (but) I smell a rat. I’m giving to head for the bush and stay away from this fixture.

Who knows, Brighton could do Manchester City – and paranoid United fans – a favour.

Four of the bottom five teams are also competing against one another this weekend, with Burnley against Fulham. The Clarets have turned a corner, and should take all three points at the quaint Turf Moor.

Leicester are at home to a struggling Southampton, who are in dire need of any sort hope. Leicester at home are a tough prospect, but I fancy the visitors to grab a scummy point at least – as to give some sort of hope down in the relegation trenches.

Chelsea billions meet Newcastle millions, and Roman’s army should inflict some pain on a team deep in the dwang. Then, on Sunday, Everton play hosts to Bournemouth. Back the Toffees to chew on the cherries.

However, the big game of weekend is Tottenham Hotspur against a resurgent Manchester United.

Since the latter have switched up managers to Ole Ole Ole, they look a treat. The likes of Paul Pogba and company are also looking like the superstars we know them to be.

Sangoma is quite anti the Devils, as a rule, but the Bones awoke this morning seeing red. Which must be a sign .....

Go take a punt on the visitors to win, with both teams to get on the board. Talking red, lets take a young tea break and get our eye in on the cricket that is on the go. Locally its third and final Test against Pakistan.

This game is dead Michelin, so I really hope South African cricket is allowing people in this weekend?

The Proteas are without the influential skipper Faf Du Pleasure, and are led by Dean Elgar. Let’s hope he leads the troops to a series whitewash, which is the favoured result for a game that could be over on Sunday.

Local football is also looking a lot better this season, with more goals being scored.

Last week’s Orlando Pirates v Highlands Park game that I mistimed on my prediction was an absolute cracker, and ended in a 2-2 draw.

This weekend, the games are pretty average, by comparison. AmaZulu play Highlands, Cape Town City host Baroka and Bloemfontein Celtic are against Golden Arrows.

I’d like to say all home teams should win, but I won’t as the bookies are at it again with nonsense prices. Just on principal, Mshengu Tshabalala may have to take a dip at a cheeky AB double and C what happens. Go with Arrows and Baroka, which goes at 16 to 1 for the pair (UNBELIEVABLE – As Hugh Bladen would say).

If you are an avid local footy spectator , then tune into Multichoice Diski Challenge, where the best of the up-and-coming youngsters will be on show.

Then we take a paddle across the pond to Australia, where the wogglers and India begin the ODI’s. They kicked off at sparrow’s fart this morning. Depending on when you read this column, it should be the second innings with a healthy chase of 300 plus on the board, either way. This series should be just as exciting and as competitive as the Test series.

Unfortunately for the Ozzy gimps, I suspect a similar result will follow and India will take the series before the last match. To be fair though, Australia should really compete – especially if they dip into the Big Bash for players in form.

Oh, for those who really like a cheeky punt – what odds on all the ANC bigwigs staying in their hallowed seats after a week of debauchery in Durban?!

I’m out, like a misbehaving minister!

ODI Series: Australia v India, Second ODI, 5.10am, SS5; Test Series: v Pakistan, Third Test, Day 5, 9.30am, CSN/SS2

Tour Down Under: Stage 1, 132.4km, 4am, SS2

Premier League Wrap, 12 midnight, SS3

Australian Open, Day 2, Day Session, 2am, SS6; Night Session, 10am, SS6

WEDNESDAY

Big Bash T20: Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Renegades, 10.10am, SS2

Tour Down Under: Stage 2, 149km, 4.30am, SS5

European Tour: Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Day 1, 5.30am, CSN/SS1

Absa Premiership: Mamelodi Sundowns v Maritzburg United, 6.30pm, SS7; AmaZulu v Kaizer Chiefs, 6.30pm, SS4

Australian Open, Day 3, Day Session, 2am, SS6; Night Session, 10am, SS6

THURSDAY

Big Bash T20: Brisbane Heat v Sydney Thunder, 10.10am, SS2

Tour Down Under: Stage 3, 146.2km, 4am, SS5

European Tour: Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Day 2, 9am, CSN/SS1; PGA Tour: Desert Classic, Day 1, 10pm, SS1/CSN; Latin America Amateur Championship, Day 1, 10pm, SS8

Soccer Africa, 9.30pm, SS4

Australian Open, Day 4, Day Session, 2am, SS6; Night Session, 10am, SS6

FRIDAY

ODI Series: Australia v India, Third ODI, 4.10am, SS2; Big Bash T20: Perth Scorchers v Hobart Hurricanes, 12.25pm, SS2

Tour Down Under: Stage 4, 129.2km, 4am, SS5

European Tour: Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Day 3, 10am, SS1/CSN; Latin America Amateur Championship, Day 2, 10pm, SS8; PGA Tour: Desert Classic, Day 2, 10pm, SS5

PRO14: Southern Kings v Cheetahs, 6.45pm, CSN/ SS1; Champions Cup: Edinburgh v Montpellier, 9.40pm, SS1

Super Diski: NFD Highlights Show, 4.45pm, SS4; CAF Champions League: Orlando Pirates v Horoya, 5.45pm, SS4; Espérance v FC Platinum, 8.45pm, SS9; PSL TV - Extra Time Reloaded, 8pm, SS4; La Liga: Getafe v Alaves, 9.55pm, SS7

Australian Open, Day 5, Day Session, 2am, SS6; Night Session, 10am, SS6

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