A wide variety of action is on offer once again this week, from international football to local rivalries; there is so much on the line waiting to be grabbed or lost, either on the field or oche.

Tuesday 31st March International Friendly: England v Japan 19:45

The Three Lions return for their second fixture of 2026 with a point to prove. Late heartbreak for Tuchel's men unfolded with a converted penalty in added time for Uruguay which cancelled out Ben White's maiden international goal and confounded England to a home draw and a first goal conceded since June 2025.

An expanded squad selection led to a change in system and personnel last week which once again could be tweaked, either in order for a new experiment or in reversion back to Tuchel’s usual system.

With the World Cup fast approaching, the excitement and worry are becoming more palpable, especially fresh from an unexpected drop in performance. All could be rectified with the visit of a Japanese side also looking to create momentum.

The Samurai Blue are also in hot form, coming into this match on a three-match winning run that has seen them go without conceding.

A 1-0 win over Scotland at the weekend will have them full of confidence and more than ready to capitalise on an England side in a rare downturn.

Date:  31/03/2026

Time: 19:45

Venue: Wembley Stadium, London

The match will be shown on ITV1, ITVX

 

Thursday 2nd April BetMGM Premier League: Gian van Veen v Luke Littler 20:10.

We are now past the halfway point of the Premier League, meaning every match becomes all the more vital for those looking to remain at the top and the others hoping to take them down.

The youthful matchup we have chosen this week embodies those two sides, with Littler currently at the apex and looking to cement his position against Van Veen, who needs points fast to keep pace to the playoffs.

It was another final win for The Nuke in Berlin last week, defeating another Dutchman, Michael van Gerwen, 6-4. Three nightly wins and two on the spin have him in pole position to take yet another trophy for the cabinet and a second Premier League title.

Gian has some catching up to do after missing Night 7 during a downturn in his form that has seen him knocked out at the quarter-final stage in the last three weeks he has played.

It was a convincing loss to Gerwyn Price last week that sent him packing, which he will be hoping to redeem when he faces his former World Youth Championship opponent on the big stage once again.

The Dutchman will have to turn around a concerning record against Littler, which has seen him lose three of the last four meetings. With both in opposing fortunes of late, it is Littler who looks to be most likely to get his night in Manchester. But with Gian needing points desperately, it could bring out the best in him under pressure.

Date: 02/04/2026

Time: 20:10

Venue: AO Arena, Manchester

The match will be shown on Sky Sports Darts.

 

Friday 3rd April Betfred Super League: Hull KR v Hull FC 12:30

Its rivals round this week in Super League, with each side facing off against bitter enemies. We have chosen one of, if not the most, hate-filled matchups in all of rugby league.

Being the only derby held between the same two cities and having over 124 years of battles has bred a vitriol between two sides that in 2026 are looking to enter the playoff spots.

The reigning champions, The Robins, have made a slightly disappointing start to their title defence. With three losses already after six matches, being two fewer than the amount they lost in the entirety of the 2025 campaign.

What makes things more inexplicable is the sides they have lost to; newly promoted York on the opening day brought warning sides for a KR side that then went on to lose to Catalans Dragons and shipped 58 points to Leeds Rhinos in Las Vegas.

The tide could be showing signs of shifting, though, after The Robins put in a stellar home performance against playoff inhabitants St Helens. A 52-10 win for the quadruple winners has been the high point of the season so far, which could potentially be bettered with a win over FC.

The Blacks and Whites are currently faring the best of the East Riding sides. With six points accrued from three wins and losses, they are in 7th and level on points with Bradford, who occupy the last playoff place.

It had been a rough couple of months for FC, who were on a four-match losing streak going into March, but since then, two victories over Leeds and Catalans have allowed them to keep pace chasing for the top six.

Bragging rights are always of the utmost importance in a derby, but this week gaining points on the other could prove imperative in a newly expanded league that offers more spots to fall short of a shot at the grand final.

Date: 03/04/2026

Time: 12:30

Venue: Craven Park, Hull

The match will be shown on Sky Go.