Your Guardian sport weekend: Women’s Rugby World Cup quarters, Manchester derby and more
The Guardian’s weekend sports roundup previews key Premier League matches, Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, athletics in Tokyo and the high‑profile boxing clash between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford. It also highlights upcoming fixtures and storylines across football, rugby, athletics…
Saturday’s sporting calendar is packed with action across football, rugby, athletics and boxing. From the Emirates Stadium kickoff between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest to the high‑stakes Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter‑finals, fans have a full day of live coverage to follow. Below is a detailed guide to the day’s headline events, the context behind each match and what to watch for as the weekend unfolds.
Premier League matchday: eight games, big storylines
The Premier League returns from international break with five 3 pm fixtures. Bournemouth host Brighton, Crystal Palace travel to Sunderland, Everton face Aston Villa, Fulham take on Leeds and Newcastle meet Wolves. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe warned that September will bring a “storm of games” as the Magpies juggle a congested schedule that includes a Champions League tie with Barcelona. Meanwhile, West Ham host Tottenham in a London derby that has added intrigue after the Hammers sold Ghanaian winger Mohammed Kudus to Spurs for £55 million. Tottenham’s manager Graham Potter said the sale was necessary to keep the squad financially balanced, while West Ham have tightened stadium security and banned half‑and‑half scarves to curb fan tensions.
Later, Brentford travel to Chelsea for another London clash. The Blues, under Enzo Maresca, hope to give new signing Alejandro Garnacho minutes, while Brentford look to break a winless run at Stamford Bridge. The final Premier League fixture of the day is the Manchester derby at the Etihad, where Pep Guardiola’s City and Ruben Amorim’s United both sit on modest points totals after a slow start to the season. Both managers will be keen to reset their campaigns and prove the early‑season form is a blip rather than a trend.
Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter‑finals
Saturday sees two compelling quarter‑finals. New Zealand, the defending champions, face a South African side that made ten changes after a 57‑10 loss to France. Coach Swys de Bruin emphasised a physical approach, fielding seven forwards on the bench to match the All Blacks’ power. In the second match, Canada take on Australia at Ashton Gate. Canada entered the tournament as dark horses, highlighted by a 40‑19 win over Scotland, while Australia have already shown they can trouble hosts England. Expect the backs Desiree Miller and Caitlyn Halse to test Canada’s defensive structures.
Sunday’s quarter‑finals feature England versus Scotland and Ireland versus France. England, fresh from a dominant Six Nations campaign, aim for a 31st consecutive test win. Forwards coach Louis Deacon wants to keep the occasion “normal” for the players, while star flanker Zoe Aldcroft returns from injury to bolster the pack. France will be looking to avenge a 27‑15 Six Nations defeat to Ireland earlier in the year.
Tokyo athletics and British sprint hopes
The World Championships in Tokyo are underway, with British sprinters Dina Asher‑Smith, Daryll Neita and rising star Amy Hunt competing in the 100 m and 200 m events. Hunt, the 23‑year‑old British 100 m champion, has posted personal bests in three events this season and will line up alongside Asher‑Smith and Neita in the heats. The British women also target a medal in the 4 × 100 m relay, having set a world‑leading 41.69 seconds in July. Middle‑distance hopefuls Erin Wallace, Revée Walcott‑Nolan and Laura Muir will contest the 1500 m heats, while Megan Keith runs the women’s 10 000 m final.
Boxing showdown: Canelo Álvarez vs Terence Crawford
On Sunday night in Las Vegas, Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez will move up two weight classes to challenge undisputed super‑middleweight champion Terence Crawford. At 37, Álvarez aims to become the first male boxer in the four‑belt era to win undisputed titles in three weight divisions. Crawford, often compared to Floyd Mayweather Jr., will look to retain his belt and cement his status as America’s top pound‑for‑pound fighter. The bout promises high drama, with both fighters bringing distinct styles – Álvarez’s power and Crawford’s technical precision.
Cricket and other weekend fixtures
England’s T20 series against South Africa continues with a rain‑affected match at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. The Duckworth‑Lewis‑Stern method saw England fall short by 14 runs after a shortened chase. The series will move to Old Trafford for the second game and then to Trent Bridge for the finale. In football, Burnley travel to Liverpool in a Premier League clash that will test Liverpool’s integration of new signing Alexander Isak, who is being eased back after a busy pre‑season. Meanwhile, the south‑coast derby between Southampton and Portsmouth returns after a 13‑year hiatus, marking only the seventh league meeting in 37 years.
Overall, the weekend offers a blend of high‑stakes international contests and domestic league battles, providing plenty of storylines for fans to follow across multiple sports.
Why it matters
The weekend’s schedule showcases pivotal moments in football, rugby, athletics and boxing that could shape titles, rankings and historic records.
Key points
- Eight Premier League games kick off on Saturday, including high‑profile London derbies and the Manchester derby
- Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter‑finals feature New Zealand vs South Africa and Canada vs Australia
- British sprinters aim for relay gold at the Tokyo World Championships
- Canelo Álvarez seeks a third undisputed title against Terence Crawford in Las Vegas
- Rain‑affected England‑South Africa T20 match highlights the impact of weather on cricket outcomes
Frequently asked questions
When does the Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest match start?
The Arsenal‑Nottingham Forest Premier League match kicks off at 12:30 pm BST at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Who are the coaches for the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter‑finals?
New Zealand is coached by Gary Berger, South Africa by Swys de Bruin, Canada by Francois Lamoureux and Australia by Jay Tregonning.
What is at stake for Canelo Álvarez in the fight against Terence Crawford?
Álvarez aims to become the first male boxer in the four‑belt era to hold undisputed titles in three weight classes, adding the super‑middleweight crown to his record.
Which British athletes are competing in the 100 m at the Tokyo World Championships?
Dina Asher‑Smith, Daryll Neita and Amy Hunt are entered in the women’s 100 m heats.
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