Editors’ Selections: Formula 1 Set for Japan Showdown, City and United Battle in Manchester Derby

A massive weekend of sport is approaching, featuring thrilling contests in football, Formula 1, and cycling.

Here’s what has our editors buzzing with anticipation:

Saturday, 5 April

PSG vs Angers – 17:00 CET

Last weekend, Paris Saint-Germain had the opportunity to clinch the Ligue 1 title for the 13th time; however, despite thrashing St Etienne 6-1, they had to pause their celebrations as Monaco secured a late winner against Nice, leaving them to wait for this weekend.

On Saturday, PSG will welcome Angers to the Parc des Princes, where a win or even a draw will seal their status as champions of France for the fifth year in a row. Impressively, they would achieve this feat without suffering a single loss… so far.

Angers, currently sitting in 14th place, have suffered four consecutive losses. While it may seem like a straightforward contest, as far as the outcome goes, the anticipation lies in watching one of Europe’s finest teams showcase their talent on the path to yet another league title—potentially their most remarkable achievement in years.

Last week’s emphatic victory over St Etienne demonstrated Luis Enrique’s PSG’s insatiable appetite for goals, and what a perfect occasion it would be for them to put on a brilliant display.

Monaco are the only other team with a mathematical chance of catching PSG in Ligue 1, but they would need to win all their remaining games while hoping PSG loses all of theirs—an extremely unlikely scenario. In the event that PSG does lose to Angers, they can still claim the title if Monaco fails to beat Brest later on Saturday (19:00 CET).

Pat Dempsey

Sunday, 6 April

Japanese Grand Prix – 07:00 CET

The Formula 1 circuit’s visit to Suzuka is always exhilarating, and this year’s Japanese Grand Prix is among the most eagerly awaited yet.

For the first time, a Japanese driver will race in a top-tier vehicle, with Yuki Tsunoda debuting for Red Bull in front of his home crowd. Following Liam Lawson’s struggles in his opening races with Max Verstappen, Tsunoda’s arrival promises to create an electric atmosphere at the track.

At just 24, Tsunoda has made significant strides over the past year and has carved a place for himself as one of the leading drivers in the midfield. However, the question remains: is he equipped to compete for wins and championships? This weekend will start to unveil the answer, but the prospect of having a second driver at Red Bull—one who matches Verstappen’s bravery and aggression—is thrilling.

While Tsunoda’s debut is a hot topic, other narratives are also crucial. We’ll see if Oscar Piastri’s recent success against Lando Norris was a one-off or the inception of a genuine title challenge, and whether Ferrari can rebound quickly from their recent disqualification woes.

And did I happen to mention that rain could be on the cards?

Those watching from Europe and Africa will need to rise early, but it’s sure to be worth it.

Finley Crebolder

Tour of Flanders – 10:00 CET

The second major cycling monument of the season awaits, as the peloton congregates in Belgium for the Tour of Flanders.

It’s the final chapter of Belgium’s ‘holy week,’ where this legendary race confronts the brutal cobbled climbs known as the ‘hellingen,’ which epitomise the event’s challenge.

As the 269-kilometre classic approaches, Mathieu van der Poel stands out as the clear favourite. And after an incredible spring, the reigning champion will require the best from the competition to dethrone him.

Challengers like cycling icons Tadej Pogacar, Wout van Aert, and Mads Pedersen all pose a significant threat, having demonstrated their form throughout the spring.

But cycling in Flanders has a reputation for unpredictability, and the race is unforgiving. One small mistake can send you out of contention, and a single poor climb could mean the end of your dreams.

Prepare for six hours of relentless action, chaos, and excitement—this is one event you certainly won’t want to miss!

Josh Donaldson

Manchester United vs Manchester City – 17:30 CET

The Manchester Derby always ranks among the pivotal matchdays in the Premier League, regardless of the form shown by the respective teams. However, with Manchester United sitting in 14th place and with their European qualification hopes flickering, and Manchester City surprisingly out of the title race, there’s a unique sense surrounding this encounter.

Nevertheless, for the supporters, this clash still carries immense significance. The city is sharply divided between blue and red, and both sides will vie for bragging rights until their next meeting.

Manchester City are also vying for a Champions League qualification, making victory in this match crucial for their campaign. For Manchester United, triumphing over their rivals at Old Trafford would not only provide a confidence boost but also hinder City’s Champions League aspirations ahead of their critical Europa League quarter-final first leg next Thursday.

While this derby may not hold the same urgency as others, there’s still plenty at stake, and you can be sure that the supporters will be out in full support as red meets blue on Sunday night.

Harry Dunnett

Monday, 7 April

Bologna vs Napoli – 20:45 CET

A thrilling clash is set to ignite Serie A on Monday evening as two of the league’s top four face off, with second-placed Napoli determined to keep pace with leaders Inter.

Antonio Conte’s Napoli trail the Nerazzurri by a mere three points with eight matches remaining, and they’ll be eager to break their four-match winless streak on the road as they aim for a second Scudetto in three years.

Meanwhile, Bologna’s five consecutive victories have propelled them past Juventus and Lazio into fourth place, putting them in a strong position for a potential back-to-back Champions League qualification for the first time in club history.

The Rossoblu have been formidable at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara this season, losing only once in the league (W9, D5), resulting in a surge of confidence—especially after their resounding 3-0 triumph against Empoli in the Coppa Italia semi-finals this week.

With so much at stake for both teams, this clash promises to be a must-watch encounter!

Danny Clark