5 Things to Look out for This Weekend: 6th-7th March
The seasons are changing, the sporting calendar is in full swing; this first weekend of March is packed with entertainment. Here are some highlights from the weekend’s action.
- Can England Overcome a tough test in India?
Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar with their combined first innings total of 197 appeared to take the fourth test away from England as they sent the visitors back out to bat trailing by 160 runs. With the excuse of a poor pitch rendered moot this match as the wicket appears to be behaving itself, England will need grit, maturity and some miracle to avoid defeat in the final test of the series. India boats an unassailable series lead and victory in the next few days will set them up in a World Test Championship Final spot opposite New Zealand. For England, this is about pride. Even if they are unable to produce that improbable comeback victory against such a sturdy side as this India team have been, a mature, all-round performance akin to theirs in the 1st test would at least steady a few nerves (and silence a few haters). It’s possible with two days of play remaining but the hosts will feel comfortable that their all-round performance has shifted the pressure onto England.
Key questions: Can England’s openers perform competently? Will India’s spinners continue to pose a riddle for their opponents? Will Root find his eye and pull off a great innings in his team’s time of need.
2. Israel Adesanya; the sixth champ-champ?
His name is fast becoming a by-word for revolution, excellence and undefeatability. Israel Adesanya moves up to Light Heavyweight this weekend to face Jan Blachowicz, knowing that a victory over the 205lb champion would induct The Last Stylebender into an exclusive pantheon of simultaneous two-division weight champions; a club that includes Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier and Amanda Nunes. Standing in his way, the newly crowned Polish Powerhouse, Jan Blachowicz, a big, strong veteran whose path to gold was carved out through setbacks and redeeming knockouts. While the bookies favour the Middleweight Champ, no one is discounting Blachowicz who need only find one overhand right to take Adesanya’s ‘0’ and retain his belt.
Key Questions: Being the smaller fighter, will Adesanya be aggressive and look for the finish? Will Jan attack his opponent and risk being counterstruck or will he sit in his guard like Stylebender’s previous championship contenders? Can Adesanya evade Blachowicz’s smashing right hand?
3. Rangers Close in on Historic Glory?
The last time a team won the Scottish Premier League and were not called Celtic was ten years ago and that very team, Glasgow Rangers, will aim to capture the title again this weekend as they take on St Mirren. In fact, since the competition has been renamed as ‘The Scottish Premiership’, only one team has been champion and, for many in the nation of the thistle, the Celtic dominance train was getting old. Led by Steven Gerrard though, their rivals have experienced something of a renaissance, culminating at this moment; the precipice of a league title. They may not seal it this weekend but a victory over St Mirren on Saturday will certainly set the league up for a rearrangement of power that many fans have been waiting a decade for.
4. Norwich Surge Continues?
Hosting the shiftless Luton Town should be a walk in the park for Norwich City who are top of the perch in the Championship, ten points clear of Brentford and winning for fun. And, in the wake of a victory, the Canaries’ schedule looks pleasing to fans of the yellow-and-green; away to Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest and home to Blackburn Rovers in their next three. Their next significant challenge comes in the form of Watford at the end of April but, realistically, they could have wrapped up Premier League certainty before then. But sport is a game of mentality and momentum, one loss could throw the proverbial spanner into the whole works. Will Norwich City’s surge continue?
5. Can Megan Anderson dethrone the Lioness?
GOAT. Lioness. Champion. Amanda Nunes has cemented her claim as one of the most dominant belt-holders in UFC history and has remained largely unfazed for the duration of her reigns in both the Bantamweight and Featherweight divisions of the organisation. At UFC 259, she is billed to defend her 145lb strap against a power striker as she has never faced before in the dangerous Australian prospect, Megan Anderson. While the challenger has had a tough time getting any credit from the bookmakers, it is possible to see a situation where she can catch Nunes and cause her trouble. Standing 6 feet tall, Anderson is the first true featherweight that the Lioness has faced in some time; her other title challengers at 145 aside from Cris Cyborg were all Bantamweights who put on ten pounds. It will be interesting to see whether Megan can use her reach to stick leg kicks and jabs to her opponent and commit to grinding out a decision to achieve the impossible. Nunes on the other hand will be confident that her opponent will be little more than a win on her extensive resume. She will be able to hurt Anderson as she has done anyone else and potentially finish the fight; only Felicia Spencer has gone the distance with Nunes in her championship career.
Key questions: Can Anderson use her reach to control Nunes on the feet? Will Nunes be able to take Anderson down where her game is weaker? Will Anderson’s gas tank last long enough to stay in the 5-round fight?
Max Pleasance
