Best Sports on TV and Stream this Weekend (October 20-23, 2023)
With the excitement of the new NBA season being around the corner, we have an action-packed weekend of sports ahead of us. With some huge fights in the UFC, the return of Formula 1 to the US, and a London derby match in the Premier League, there are hot sports events to watch wherever you look. So without further ado, let’s preview some of the biggest matchups to watch this weekend.
ATP Tour: Nordic Open (October 16th-22nd)
With the end of the ATP-tour tennis season coming up soon, some of the best players in the world are heading to Stockholm, Sweden for the 2023 edition of the Nordic Open. The favorite for the title is undoubtedly world number 6 and 2022 champion Holger Rune, with the Norwegian almost playing at home with the tournament taking place so close to his hometown.
Rune has had an up-and-down season so far, with some terrific performances followed by early exits, but his standing in the world rankings shows that the 20 year old has enormous potential in the next few years as he reaches his prime. His stunning backcourt play is a tough matchup for anyone, and he will be confident that he can defend his crown.
Gunning for him are a chasing pack of big names. World number 24 Adrian Mannarino is having one of the most notable comebacks this season, with the 35 year old shocking bigger names on a number of occasions this year. His rise up the rankings has been impressive for one of the veterans of the tour, and he will be wanting to finish this year on a high here.
3-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka is also taking part, and his shot variety and deftness of touch should cause a problem for anyone taking him on on the Stockholm hardcourts. He will find it tough to win the tournament, but he will be hopeful of a deep run at the very least.
Premier League: Arsenal at Chelsea (October 21st)
With two huge rivalry matches taking place this weekend, Liverpool and Everton being the other massive matchup in the Premier League, Chelsea and Arsenal might be the most intriguing clash of this weekend. Arsenal are flying high after a 1-0 victory over Manchester City a couple of weeks ago, and Mikel Arteta’s side are looking stronger than ever in their quest to win the Premier League after falling painfully short last year.
With Declan Rice controlling the midfield, Gabriel Jesus leading the line well, and star winger Bukayo Saka ready to return to the side, Arsenal have one of the strongest starting 11s in soccer right now. Their bench is much better than last season as well, and they will be confident of getting a win at Stamford Bridge over a team that has traditionally been a bit of a bogey team for them.
Chelsea have had a difficult season under Mauricio Pochettino, with so many players coming and going in the last two years under Todd Boehly’s ownership. Pochettino still doesn’t know his best 11, but signs of improvement came in their last game, a 4-1 win away at Burnley.
Star striker Raheem Sterling played amazingly in that game, being involved in all 4 goals, and he will want to carry on his good form against an Arsenal defense that has already proved to be meaner and tougher than last year. Sterling’s pace and trickery will serve him well, but this will be the toughest test of his year so far.
Expensive midfield signings Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo have struggled to impress for Chelsea so far, but with more games under their belt with such a new team, they should improve as the weeks go on.
However, this game might be too early for them, and Arsenal’s flying start to the season should continue.
UFC 294 (October 21st)
After some incredible drama in recent weeks, UFC 294 has actually turned out to be one of the most exciting cards of the year. Injuries to Charles Oliveira and Paulo Costa ruled the two Brazilians out of the card, with both the main event and co-main event being affected as a result.
But in a stroke of genius, the UFC managed to get Alexander Volkanovski to sign up for the fight against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in the main event, in a rematch of their classic title fight in Australia earlier this year. And to put the cherry on top, they also got former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman to agree to fight Khamzat Chimaev in the co-main event at middleweight in a fight that is sure to excite fans.
Volkanovski and Makhachev battled for 5 rounds in one of the most high-level and technical UFC fights in recent memory in their first match, with Makhachev coming out on top in a razor thin decision. Volkanovski came up from featherweight, and showed incredible strength and determination to stop the Dagestani champion from taking him down and submitting him.
Chimaev has been one of the most exciting fighters on the roster in recent years, and he will have his toughest test yet against UFC legend Usman. Usman is fresh off two losses against British great Leon Edwards, and will be determined to get back to winning ways and stake his claim for another title shot.
Whatever happens, it is a card that will surely live long in the memory.
Formula 1: United States GP (October 22nd)
After Max Verstappen finally wrapped up his third title in a row last time out in Qatar, Formula 1 makes its return to the United States, with the race taking place at Circuit of the Americas in Texas. Verstappen will be the favorite to win yet another race this season, but the pressure being off could motivate the chasing pack to get a win in a season dominated by Red Bull.
Mercedes driver George Russell has been driving very well in recent races, and he will be hopeful that his improved Mercedes can challenge at the front again after only finishing 4th in Qatar.
McLaren’s star Lando Norris will probably be the most confident of challenging Verstappen, though, with his last few races including a few podiums and strong drives. His McLaren has been incredibly quick since the summer break, and he is staking his claim to be one of the most talented drivers on the circuit.
However, it really should be Verstappen coming out on top again to further cement his legacy as a great of the sport in a season where he has utterly dominated from start to finish.
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Author: Dan Anderson