Sport: What's On This Week? January 13th - 17th, 2025

Another Sunday ticks by and its that time again to decide how to potentially spend your week. Will it be on the terraces in more layers than imaginable, or at home with a drink in front of the TV with the heating on.

Regardless of what you decide, there are plenty of options this week to take in the excitement of the midweek sporting calendar.

Monday 13th January: Australia W v England W: The Ashes Women, 23:05pm

The second test for the three lions women in arguably the biggest competition in cricket takes place this week. The CitiPower Centre in Melbourne will be the stage for the start of a campaign for England to hopefully reclaim the iconic ashes trophy for the first time since 2013-14.

The Women’s Ashes is played slightly differently to the men’s, as the winner is based on results from all three cricket formats. They are set up as three T-20s, a one-off test, and three one-day internationals. A win in the single test match is worth four points, while a win in the other ‘White ball’ matches is worth two. With a maximum of 16 points on offer, a team must therefore achieve nine points in order to win the whole thing.
Although England have failed to win the competition for over ten years, the tide could be turning as after consecutive 12-4 losses, the 2023 iteration ended 8-8, meaning the Aussies only retained the trophy because they were holders before. With that narrow defeat still in the forefront of their minds, Jon Lewis’ ladies have the opportunity to go one better and return back home with the trophy and plaudits.

Date: 13/01/25
Time 23:05pm
Venue: CitiPower Centre, Melbourne

The match will be shown on TNT Sports
Tuesday 14th January: Scarborough Athletic v Kidderminster Harriers, 19:45pm

A real test hits the East Yorkshire coast as National League North high-flyers Kidderminster Harriers attempt to consolidate their play-off run at the Flamingo Land Stadium against Scarborough Athletic.

The Seadog’s season has been marred by inconsistency. Their best stretch was at the start of the season when they went four games unbeaten to kick off the league campaign. Since then, the seasiders have failed to pick up more than two consecutive victories, which has left them mid-table.

Kidderminster are fighting a congested battle at the top of the league; at least four teams have a real fighting chance of snatching the singular automatic promotion spot. The Harriers sit furthest away from the prize in fourth, but sit only two points behind the leader Curzon Ashton.
This will be only the third time the two clubs have faced each other. Scarborough have the bragging rights having won both matches previously, but with current circumstances, it looks unlikely that the midlands club will relent their position in the chase.

Date: 14/01/25
Time: 19:45pm
Venue: Flamingo Land Stadium, Scarborough Sports Village, Ashburn Road, Scarborough, YO11 2JW

Tickets are available here. Adult: £18.00 Concession: £14.00, Youth 12-17: £10.00, Child U-11: £3.00
Wednesday 15th January: Arsenal v Tottenham, 20:00pm

There are few things as exciting as a rivalry, and even though it is not a Yorkshire derby, the North London derby is one of the fiercest in the Premier League. Every match has the opportunity for drama.

Tottenham this season have become somewhat of an unknown quantity; their form has been a mix of unexpected defeats such as Ipswich and Crystal Palace in the Premier League, contrasted with an astounding EFL Cup run that has seen them beat both Manchester clubs and potentially Liverpool after coming through the first leg of the semi-final 1-0.

If a shock could be on the cards at the Emirates, it could prove catastrophic for the Gunners who are dangerously close to losing track of pacesetters Liverpool, as the Reds hold form six points in front.
Arsenal are not just looking upwards for results however, as they sit on the same points as surprise package Nottingham Forest, and with the Midlanders playing Liverpool, a win for them could be exactly what Arsenal need to stay comfortable from both ends.

However, if recent history of the derby is anything to go by, the lilywhites will have to wait another season to derail an Arsenal league campaign. Tottenham haven’t been able to slay their bitterest of enemies since 2022. A win for Postecoglu would certainly go some way in calming recent nerves from supporters based on their current position of 12th.

Date: 15/01/25
Time: 20:00pm
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London

The match will be shown on beIN Sports MENA English 1 , Discovery+ UK, Sport 24 International, TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Digital Exclusive, TNT Sports Ultimate
Friday 17th January: Harrogate Town v Cheltenham, 19:45pm

Away from the ferocity of a derby or tournament cricket we come to League Two where Harrogate find themselves in a battle for survival. The Sulphurites are 21st in League Two, but look to be trending in somewhat in the right direction with a win against Barrow on the 7th of January to finally end a winless December.

That run has seen them slide down the table, at one point entering the drop zone but the worsening fortunes of Morecambe and Carlisle have been enough to leave Harrogate still five points off relegation. This gap could be extended with their sixth home win in the league.

Simon Weaver’s men put in an impressive performance at Elland Road against Leeds in the FA Cup last weekend; their bravery and solid play meant they came close to a potentially famous goal and dramatic upset. Instead, they lost out to a second half goal and now can take away the positives into a league campaign that could do with a change in fortunes.
Their opponents Cheltenham are more consolidated in their position this season in 13th. Consolidation in mid-table, however, is not what Cheltenham fans would have wanted as the team were tipped to make more of an impact after being relegated from League one by just two points last season. Although the circumstances are not ideal, it has been a struggle for most new members coming down to League two this season, as only Port Vale have themselves in a fighting chance for a return to the third tier.

Date: 17/01/24
Time: 19:45pm
Venue: Exercise Stadium, Wetherby Road, Harrogate, HG2 7SG

Tickets can be purchased here.

Seated pricing: Adult: £25.00, Concession £20.00, Full-time Student 18+: 20.00, Senior 65+ £20.00, Under 12: £10.00, Under 18: £12.00, Under 5: £3.00.