Sports this weekend: India vs Australia women's Test, Liverpool vs Arsenal in Premier League and more

It’s the penultimate weekend of 2023 but sporting action across the globe continues as it enters its busy festive period. India recently defeated South Africa 2-1 in a three-match ODI series in South Africa, and the two teams won’t be in action till Boxing Day for the first Test in Centurion. While the India men’s cricket team takes a breather following the limited-overs leg of the South Africa tour, the women’s cricket team led by Harmanpreet Kaur are taking on Australia in a one-off Test in Mumbai.

Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar helped the hosts gain a 157-run lead on Day 2 of the Test on Friday,  and the Test continues over the weekend. New Zealand, who have already clinched the series, take on Bangladesh in the third and final ODI on Saturday.

European domestic football continues over the weekend with Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A matches taking place, while Ligue 1 and Bundesliga takes a breather for Christman and New Year period.

We now take a look at top sporting competitions to keep an eye out over the weekend:

Cricket

New Zealand vs Bangladesh (FanCode): New Zealand may have already sealed the ODI series against Bangladesh, but the two teams face off once again in Napier on Friday.

India Women vs Australia Women (Sports18/JioCinema): India Women take on Australia Women in the one-off Test match that has already started in Mumbai. Two days of the Test is already complete, and Day three will resume on Saturday, with India holding a 157-run lead in the first innings. Deepti Sharma (70*) and Pooja Vastrakar (33*) will resume India’s innings at 376/7.

Football

European domestic football: Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A will be played over the upcoming weekend. One of the marquee matches will be Liverpool taking on Arsenal at Anfield. There’s just one LaLiga match remaining this year and that will be played between Atletico Madrid and Sevilla.

Premier League (Star Sports/Disney + Hotstar)

West Ham United vs Manchester United (6 pm, Saturday)

Tottenham vs Everton (8.30 pm, Saturday)

Liverpool vs Arenal (11 pm, Saturday )

LaLiga

Atletico Madrid vs Sevilla (8.45 pm, Saturday)

Serie A (Sports18/JioCinema)

Inter vs Lecce (10.30 pm, Saturday)

Frosinone vs Juventus (5 pm, Saturday)

Indian Super League (Sports18/JioCinema)

Mohun Bagan Super Giant take on FC Goa in a marquee clash on Saturday at 8 pm IST. That will be followed by a double header on Sunday, with Bengaluru FC facing NorthEast United and Kerala Blasters hosting Mumbai City FC.

I League (Eurosport)

Shillong Lajong face Namdhari FC in the I League on Saturday. There will be a double header on Sunday featuring a match between Delhi FC and Real Kashmir FC, and a contest between Mohammedan SC and Neroca FC.