Who will prevail at Old Trafford? - Week 8, 2023
After a scintillating 2-2 draw between Manchester United and FC Barcelona at Camp Nou, what will happen in this Champions League-esque match up in the Europa League. And all of the other games and matches you can watch in the eighth week of 2023.
Monday - 20th of February
Cycling, UAE Tour
The road cycling season is still very young and the first tour with some big names is on the way with the UAE Tour. Monday will be the first day of this seven day tour through the UAE. This first stage has been classified as a sprint stage, followed by time trial tomorrow. Furthermore there will be two climbing stages and all of the other stages have been classified as sprint stages.
Tennis, ATP Rio Open
The Rio Open is a fun tournament to see some talent from Latin America and the 19-year-old number two in action. It’s a seven day tournament which can bring some funs surprises.
Tuesday - 21st of February
Football, Champions League
Real Madrid - Liverpool has been the Champions League final three times before, with last time they faced eachother being last year’s final. Although Liverpool has been poor this season this’ll still be a game you can’t miss if you enjoy the beautiful game.
Thursday - 23rd of february
Football, Europa League
If you watched the Champions League games last week and on the thursday last week’s game between FC Barcelona - Manchester United. You’d be forgiven for thinking this was the only Champion’s League game that was on. If this is half the game it was in Camp Nou it will still be worth the watch. Too bad that one of these teams is gonna be eliminated from Europe this season after thursday.
F1, Pre-season test
I am going to be honest, if you’re not a true motorsports nerd. You can skip this one. However, if you have plans to binge the new “Drive to Survive“ season on Netflix this is a great opener to get ready for the new season. If you have a life, F1 does a fantastic job to curate the highlights that they tthrow online mere hours after the sessions.
NBA, GSW - LAL
After All-Star weekend it’s time for two struggling teams with a lot of All Stars to start gearing up for the NBA Play-offs. Both the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers have outspoken their ambitions to win a championship this season. However, the season hasn’t been going to plan for both teams as they struggle with form and injuries. Both need to win as they both aren’t safe for the play-offs as of yet.
Friday - 24th of February
NBA, OKC - PHX
It was a trade that shook the league, a feeling familiar to the player in question. Kevin Durant went to the Phoenix Suns to team up with Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. It’s a super that might not be as dangerous as the time he left for San Fransisco to team up with the Warriors, however that doesn’t mean this won’t be as succesful for Durant. This will most probably be the first time we see these guys on the court together.
NBA, SAC - LAC
Another player who has joined a new team. Russel Westbrook has joined the LA Clippers to join forces with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. This has a bigger chance to fail that the previous new team-up I talked about, but what if it does work out? The thought makes me a little curious.
Saturday - 25th of February
Rugby, Six Nations Championship
The third round of the prestigious international championship is on the planning. With two games being played on Saturday and one on the Sunday. I am personally new to the sport of rugby as I’ve only watched games in passing. I’d always find it very interesting and will find some time to watch these games.
Formula E, Cape Town E-prix
Electric motorsport through the city of Cape Town. Formula E is known to be more action packed than most motorsports, with a lot of contact and tactical uses of “boosts”. If you’re a traditional enjoyer of motorsports, this might be a bit too “gimmicky“ for you or you won’t like the lack of engine sound. If not, turn it on and enjoy the spectacle.
Football, Real Madrid - Atletico Madrid
A Madrid derby is one you can always turn into and enjoy what you’re going to see. Atleti has been struggling, but is starting to find some form since the World Cup finished. Real needs the results as they’re starting to trail heavily on title rivals FC Barcelona.
NBA, BOS - PHI
This might be a precursor of a very fun play-off series later in the year. With two potential MVP candidates on both sides of the court.
Sunday - 26th of February
Football, Tottenham - Chelsea
Two struggling London based traditional top 6 teams facing off. With the other games on today, you’re forgiven giving this game a skip. Personally, I love a game between two teams who’re struggling and performing way below their standard. The desperation can give some of the most amazing games for the best or worst reasons.
Football, EFL Cup Final
The first prize of the season could be here for either Manchester United or Newcastle United. Both teams weren’t expected to be where they are at the beginning of the season, yet here we are. Who’s going to bring home silverware first this season in England?
Football, Bayern München - Union Berlin
A clash between two of the three leaders on the same amount of points in the Bundesliga. The winner of this game will deal a big blow to the loser in the race for the league. A draw is an unfavourable result for both teams as Borussia Dortmund (the third leader on level points) could take a solitary lead. A must-win game for both teams, Will it be “Der Rekordmeister“ or will it be Union, who’ve been growing steadily and out performing there expectations year after year?
Football, Olympique Marseille - Paris Saint-Germain
Another clash at the top of a league it’s Paris, who’ve lost recently to Marseille in the cup, who are visiting the south of France. One thing we’re going to be sure of is that the atmosphere is going to be electric in Stadio Velodrome. Will PSG be able to open up the gap or wil Marseille turn up the heat and chase down the leaders for the championship.
I’m also going to watch Feyenoord - Fortuna Sittard on the Sunday. It goes without saying, but to me a Feyenoord match is unmissable.
That’s the weekly. Is there anything I’ve missed to write down? What are you excited for? Let me know.