Busy sporting weekend in London

The new football season starts this weekend and the sports press can concentrate on something other than whether Beckham’s problem with his big toe/ankle/new haircut will stop him walking down another red carpet. Football fans will be filled with hope for a good season, at least until Monday, but the return of the Premiership and football is not the only big sporting contest in London this weekend.

The Third Test in cricket between England and India began today at the Oval in south London and is schdeuled for five days. The first four days are sold out but tickets for the fifth day are on general sale. As always with Test matches the game could be finished inside five days but if it does continue into Monday The Oval is a great place to watch a game, the Indian fans will make a lot of noise and the weather forecast for the next week in London is good. Play starts at 11am each day.

The Rugby World Cup starts in France on 7 September and England have a warmup game against the French at Twickenham this Saturday afternoon 11 August. The game kicksoff at 5pm and tickets are still available from £25-£45. England go into the game on the back of thrashing Wales last week and the French should be in the mood to set a marker for their own tournament.

These are the football matches in London this weekend. The Premierships games are sold out but you might have some luck with the ticket touts.

11 August
Premiership - West Ham v Man City 3pm
Championship - Charlton v Scunthorpe 3pm
League Two - Brentford v Mansfield 3pm
12 August
Premiership - Arsenal v Fulham 12noon
Premiership - Chelsea v Birmingham 1.30pm