Soccer: Champions League
The two Manchester clubs set themselves up nicely for Sunday’s city derby - both with good Champions League results last night to make it a rare unbeaten week for the English clubs in the competition.
Thanks to a last minute strike by Kevin De Bruyne a plucky Manchester City side secured a 2-1 and a crucial three points against Europa League holder Sevilla at the Etihad. They had led thanks to an own goal from the visitors but the La Liga side had managed an equaliser through Yevhen Konoplyanka, before De Bruyne's 92nd minute effort.
Meanwhile United negotiated the tricky trip to Russia to play CSKA Moscow - and came away with a crucial away point. Far from the fluid performance the fans have been calling out for this season, but another goal by young Anthony Martial on 65 minutes gave them a share of the spoils and left them in second place in the group upon the half way mark. Tonight Liverpool, Celtic and Tottenham play in the Europa League.
Boxing
The big story back on Irish soil though is the ongoing fiasco surrounding Billy Walsh's resignation as Irish boxing head coach, and after days of criticism from boxers, commentators and in particular the Irish Sports Council chairman Kieran Mulvey - the Irish Amateur Boxing Association are set to break their silence on Thursday morning on the situation that has led to Billy Walsh leaving boxing's High Performance Unit and taking up a post in the United States. In doing so, they will look to draw a line and move on, even though it is likely to land them in trouble with the Irish Sports Council.
Rugby: World Cup
South Africa manager Heyneke Meyer is plotting the downfall of what he calls the "best team of all time"- as the Springbok coach looks for only a second win from eight attempts against the All Blacks on Saturday.
“If you look at the last four years, after a World Cup usually there’s a decline in performance, but they’ve just got better, which just hasn’t happened in world rugby. We know this must be our best performance probably ever to beat them, because I do believe they are the best team ever to play the game. In saying that, you have to believe you can beat them.”
Golf
Meanwhile it's going to be a big few days for Irish golfers Peter Lawrie and Kevin Phelan - they need a sixth-place finish or better at the Hong Kong Open for either to secure full playing privileges for the European Tour next season.
What to watch out for
Follow the golf live from the Fanling Hong Kong Open this morning.
Sky Sports 4, 7am-10am, 11.30am-2.30pm
Liverpool take on Rubin Kazan as Jurgen Klopp gets another chance to see some of his squad in action.
Setanta from 7.55pm
Tottenham travel to Anderlecht (Setanta from 5.45pm) as Celtic look to continue their fine form in the competition so far against Molde (Setanta 1 from 8pm).
