The sporting week ahead (11/08/13)

Neil Robinson
Saturday 10 August 2013 22:32 BST
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Today

We are starting to get used to Wigan at Wembley. Here they are again, trotting out against Manchester United in the Community Shield, no doubt insisting that relegation will not wither them. Such is the current climate of football frenzy that should they do the dirty on Manchester United it will be reported as a full-grown crisis for David Moyes, who arrives for his first domestic fixture as manager on the back of a couple of middling results in the Far East.

In athletics, get ready for Usain Bolt to do something special in the final of the 100 metres in the World Athletics Championships in Moscow.

Tomorrow

Christine Ohuruogu is the headline act for Britain in the 400m. On her day she could win gold; the rest of the time she can end up an also-ran.

Tuesday

Such is the turmoil around the England Under-21s since Stuart Pearce's departure that Roy Hodgson has taken charge against Scotland tonight. Let's see if it makes a difference.

Wednesday

Then on to the seniors... England welcome Scotland to Wembley for the first time since 1999, and a repeat of their 1-0 win would get Gordon Strachan beaming. Whether anyone would care enough to recreate 1977 and scale the Wembley crossbar is another matter but the tub-thumping about arrogant England has already started north of the border so Hodgson should beware.

Back in Moscow the British Olympic gold medalist Greg Rutherford attempts to qualify for the men's long jump final.

Thursday

High jumper Robbie Grabarz and Dai Greene have outside chances of medals, although the Welshman is no longer the man they all fear in the 400m hurdles.

Friday

Mo Farah is back on track in the 5,000m final while fellow Super Saturday clan member Rutherford will also be also hoping for gold in the long jump final.

In football Doncaster v Blackburn in the Championship might be worth staying in for while golf sees the start of the Solheim Cup between the best women players of Europe and the United States.

Saturday

After what seems like months of absurd hype, the Premier League kicks off with what looks like a fairly mundane set of fixtures. Swansea v Manchester United is probably the pick, although the Emirates Stadium could be the place as Arsenal try to see off Aston Villa.

The World Athletics Championships sign off in Moscow amid a flurry of whirring batons in the relays.

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