Week on the Punt: BBL, EPL & NBA gear up for holiday madness

Christmas is just around the corner for everyone that celebrates the silly season, but the sporting world doesn’t stop for anything. Here are the big events to look out for this weekend.

BBL is back with a bang

The 2019-20 Big Bash League fixture features four matches on the final weekend before Christmas, with all eight teams taking the field.

You have three games in the big cities of Canberra, Sydney and Perth, whilst the fourth game will be played in the country town of Moe in eastern Victoria.

The fixture for Saturday is going to be interesting due to the team dynamic between the competitors, including Shaun Marsh facing his old teammates at Optus Stadium when the Perth Scorchers host the Melbourne Renegades.

The biggest game will take place on Sunday night when the Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers clash at the SCG, where both teams will be playing their third match of the season.

Another big weekend of NBA and NBA action

If you follow the basketball in Australia, you have been treated to many great games from overseas and on local shores in recent weeks.

The NBL is still producing brilliant entertainment, and this weekend is no different. The biggest match of the round will see the second-placed Perth Wildcats take on third-placed Melbourne United on Saturday, which we analysed in our NBL Round 12 multi tips.

American basketball is always going to be the premier viewing, and no doubt the best game on the weekend goes to the Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. Although second-year phenomenon Luka Doncic is out for Dallas, the Mavs have been in terrific form and will give the Sixers a tough time.

All eyes on Man City vs Leicester in EPL Matchweek 18

For Liverpool to lose the English Premier League title from this impressive position would be one of the all-time biggest chokes in professional sport, but that doesn’t mean every other match is a write off.

Aston Villa and Southampton will clash in a match that could have a big say in the relegation battle down the track. The Villans stand at $2.40 at Sportsbet.com.au, leaving the Saints at $2.80.

Second will play third when Leicester City take on Manchester City at the Etihad at 4:30am AEDT this Sunday. The Citizens are priced at $1.33 to snap Leicester’s unbeaten run, while the Foxes are paying some $7.50 to notch their 13th win of the EPL season.

The weekend closes with a London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. Fifth-placed Spurs are slated at $2.30 for the win at home, while fourth-placed Chelsea are giving up $2.80 to stop the rot after back-to-back defeats.

Melbourne derby headlines A-League Round 11

If you enjoy the European variety of football and hail from Victoria, this is a good weekend to go local and switch on the A-League.

Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory will lock horns at AAMI Park in one of their biggest clashes yet. The A-League rivalry between these Victorian-based clubs has always been hot, and the tension rises to boiling point on Saturday in this traditional pre-Christmas derby.

Another important A-League match this weekend will see the sixth-placed Wellington Phoenix host the league leaders, Sydney FC.