New Year's Day Sport

Saturday, 1 January 2022 09:42

By Ross Lindsay

Three Premier League games down for decision and Connacht host Munster

Manchester City can move 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League this lunchtime.

Pep Guardiola's side take on fourth-placed Arsenal at the Emirates from half-12.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta won't be in the dugout as he's isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.

Later, Tottenham can move up to fifth if they beat struggling Watford from 3pm.

Crystal Palace host West Ham in the evening game from half-five.

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There's just one game in the Championship this afternoon.

Blackpool take on Hull from 3pm.

Sheffield United's clash with Middlesborough was called off yesterday.

Coventry's meeting with Luton has also been postponed.

RUGBY

Mack Hansen is back in the Connacht line-up for today's United Rugby Championship clash with Munster.

The winger - who is the leading try scorer in this year's competition - returns having been out with a calf injury.

Munster have handed a starting role to Alex Kendellen for the first time in the back row.

Kick-off at the Sportsground is at a quarter-past-five.

DARTS

The first of the quarter-finals at the World Darts Championship take place this afternoon.

World number four James Wade meets Mervyn King from a quarter to one at the Alexandra Palace.

That's followed by the clash between two-time winner Gary Anderson and Luke Humphries.

This evening, Peter Wright plays Callan Rydz (pr: rids), while defending champion Gerwyn Price takes on Michael Smith.

RACING

The EBF Mares Chase is the feature of an eight-race meeting at Fairyhouse today.

It goes to post at 20-to-three, with the first of the eight races off at ten-to-12.

There's also a seven-race card at Tramore from 12-noon.

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A crowd of around 30-thousand is expected at Cheltenham later.

The action is underway from 12.15pm with seven races on the card.