Sport: What's On This Week? November 25th - 29th, 2024

It’s the last week of November, and storm Bert is more than happy to remind us that the sunshine is a thing of the past.

But don’t let that dampen your spirits, because as we get ready to enter the final month of 2024, it is becoming crunch time for teams and players across the region.

So here are a few ideas on how you can spend this week enjoying the tumultuous time of the sporting calendar that is the Christmas period.

All week: Victoria plumbing UK Championship Snooker in York

It’s getting harder and harder to watch sports in this weather; the darkness and chill has got a lot of us searching for a more comfortable spectating alternative.

That alternative this week is getting yourself to the York Barbican and enjoying the best of the best in snooker. We’re talking Judd Trump, Neil Robertson, John Higgins and many more who will be lighting up the tables, all vying to make it to Sunday to lift the trophy.

Ronnie O’Sullivan is surprisingly out of the championship after the defending champion suffered a shock 4-6 loss to Barry Hawkins on Saturday.
A record-furthering ninth UK Championship for the rocket will have to wait until next year, but in the meantime, you could be at the iconic York Barbican to see a new champion crowned and earn the £250,000 prize money.

Date: 25/11/24-1/12/14
Time: Start times are 13:00pm and 19:00pm every day
Venue: York Barbican, Paragon Street, York, YO10 4AH

Tickets: https://www.yorkbarbican.co.uk/whats-on/

The matches will also be shown on Eurosport on discovery+
Tuesday 26th November - Hull City v Sheffield Wednesday

There is surely no better way to start off your week than taking in a Yorkshire derby, and you could do just that on Tuesday as the Owls travel the short distance to The MKM Stadium to face the Tigers.

Both teams are yet to set the world alight thus far in the EFL Championship. Wednesday are faring the better of the two teams, sitting in 15th spot. A respectable position considering they languished in the relegation zone for all but four weeks last season.

With the 1-0 loss in the steel city derby fresh in the fans’ minds, the visitors will be hoping they can claw back some pride by dispatching another Yorkshire rival.

Hull sank into the relegation zone on Saturday following a 1-0 defeat to Luton. A disastrous drop in form, considering they missed out on the play-offs by just three points last season.

The appointment of Tim Walter in May following the shock sacking of Liam Rosenior has proved to be disastrous so far.
The Tigers fans would’ve been anticipating a season of improvement or consolidation. Instead, they were understandably bewildered by Rosenior’s treatment, and that shake-up has resulted in them staring down the barrel of a shock relegation battle.

This match is one not to miss if you want to experience an always feisty Yorkshire derby with plenty on the line.

Date: 26/11/24
Time: 19:45pm
Venue: MKM Stadium, Walton Street, Hull, HU3 6HU
Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eticketing.co.uk/wearehullcity
Adult: £27.50, Senior: £18.50, Young Adult 16-22: £14.00, Junior 11-15: £8.00, Junior 2-10: £3.50
Wednesday 27th November: Leeds United v Luton Town

Elland Road ‘welcome’ newly relegated Luton Town in mid-week; the Hatters have had a torrid time this campaign as Rob Edward’s men are hanging perilously above the relegation zone in 21st place.

Most pre-season predictions would have placed them in the driving seat to make an immediate return to the Premier League, but the ferocity of the Championship has proved too much to handle, and they face a frightening uphill battle to rescue any semblance of success.

Last season’s play-off final losers Leeds have picked up where they left off, with the Whites holding top spot on goal difference. The heartbreak of last season was made all the more painful with the loss of key players such as Crysencio Summerville and Georgino Rutter. However, Daniel Farke’s men have managed to regroup, and the outlook is very promising thus far.

Just a solitary loss at home all season for the Yorkshire side puts them firmly in the driving seat, especially considering Luton have only managed a single win away from Kenilworth Road all season.

Luton should not be doubted too much though, their squad still boasts quality players like Tahith Chong and Elijah Adebayo, who proved to be useful contributors in the Premier League and extremely proficient Championship operators.

Both teams come into this one following valuable wins at the weekend; Luton managed to create space between them and the relegation zone for now, with a 1-0 away win at Hull. Leeds got the better of Swansea in one of the games of the season on Sunday, coming back from 2-1 down to win 4-3 in the 91st minute, to reach first position in the table, for the first time since March.

Date: 27/11/24
Time: 19:45pm
Venue: Elland Road, Beeston, Leeds, LS11 0ES
The match will also be shown on Sky Sports+
Friday 29th November: Harrogate Town v Gainsborough Trinity

Harrogate Town will be praying to avoid an FA Cup upset when they come toe to toe with Pitching In Northern Premier League-Premier Division strugglers Gainsborough Trinity.

This is somewhat of a throwback for Town, harkening back to their recent exploits in non-league, and displaying just how far Simon Weaver has taken this team in his staggering 15-year tenure.

The Sulphurites qualified for round two following an impressive 1-0 win against Wrexham earlier in the month. Confidence should be soaring amongst the squad who will be anticipating reaching the third round of the FA cup for only the second time in the club’s history.

Gainsborough have struggled this campaign; whilst they sit in 18th in the league, the FA Cup has been the only shining light for Trinity, as they are struggling to build on their eighth-place finish from last season. Their 9-8 win on penalties against Hednesford in the first round of the cup was by no means convincing.

However, if there is any competition that warrants not counting out the underdog, it’s the FA Cup.

Date: 29/11/24
Time: 19:45pm
Venue: Exercise Stadium, Wetherby Road, Harrogate, HG2 7SG
Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eticketing.co.uk/harrogatetownafc/EDP/Event/Index/268
Adult: £13.00, Senior: 65+ £9.00, Under 18: £5.00.
The match will also be shown on BBC Two