This week, the excitement of the football league’s commencement is boosted by a Yorkshire derby, while more drama erupts from the Super League and the England cricket team.

Tuesday 18th August Betfred Super League: Hull KR v Warrington Wolves 20:00

Another week brings another battle of the top six in the Super League, as Warrington aims to create some distance between themselves and the reigning quadruple holders, Hull KR, while travelling to Craven Park two places and points ahead of the Robins.

As the regular season nears its conclusion, every match becomes crucial, and with the playoff picture beginning to take shape, each encounter between two top-six teams provides valuable insight into what may unfold if they face each other in the playoffs.

Warrington enters the match as the stronger of the two teams, holding a healthier cushion with 32 points earned. They also are on a positive run of results with one loss in their last four and three straight victories heading into this one.

Their last victory came against York, who the Wolves won convincingly in a 30-10 scoreline. Before this winning streak, they suffered significant defeats to fellow playoff contenders Leigh and Wigan, while their victories were against weaker teams, with York, Bradford, and Castleford all positioned in the bottom half.

Hull KR will be hoping to capitalise on their recent success, as they are an established top six side and current defending champions. They do sit two points behind the Wolves but have the opportunity to build more confidence, and their points tally, especially with morale, are in a good place with four straight victories, including a 44-0 drubbing of Castleford and a 28-10 win over Catalans Dragons last week.

The Robins will also be looking for revenge, as the last match they lost was to Warrington in late July, where KR were soundly beaten 34-12. With a victory potentially putting Hull in front of Warrington, they will be hoping they can redeem their latest loss.

But for the Wolves, they know that they have Hull’s number and are capable of getting one over on them, which, if they were to replicate, could be vital for their campaign and standing in the playoffs.

Date: 18/08/2026

Time: 20:00

Venue: Craven Park, Hull

The match will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action.

 

Wednesday 19th August: Rothesay Test Series: England v Pakistan 11:00

England kick off their three-test series against Pakistan at Headingley on Wednesday, with the West Yorkshire stadium giving fans the chance to peek into what life will look like without captain Ben Stokes following his shock retirement from the international stage.

England have been performing well recently, as evidenced by their 27-run victory over India in their last match. Just a loss of six wickets to the Indians in mid-July has been their only down moment in a run that has seen them win six of their last seven matches.

A good run of form was much needed after relinquishing glory against New Zealand in two tests that saw them battered by 253 runs at The Oval and 160 at Trent Bridge.

With fears that the state of English cricket is entering a colossal down turn, they have the chance to prove many doubters wrong. This outcome could be bolstered by the return of Emilio Gay, who was initially feared to be sidelined due to a shoulder injury, but scans have revealed no serious damage.

Gay’s return is welcome news to a side that was already lacking in key names after Stoke’s retirement and Jacob Bethell missing out due to a knee injury.

This test will also see the return of Joe Root as captain and a chance to see the influence of interim boss Marcus Trescothick before Kiwi Stephen Fleming takes charge ahead of the South Africa tour in the winter.

Date: 19/08/2026

Time: 11:00

Venue: Headingley Stadium, Leeds

The match will be shown on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports UHD.

 

Thursday, 20th August, Skybet League One: Sheffield Wednesday v Bradford City 20:00

Last weekend, the football league season kicked off, and with it was fired the starting pistol of another action-packed campaign for 72 sides across the country.

This week in round two, it's two teams from across Yorkshire that face off in the third tier for a derby that has not been seen in the same league for 21 years, as Hillsborough hosts. This marks the first time since 2005 that the Bantams will face the Owls.

The Owls made their return to the league. One season followed the worst on record in the Football League, during which they lost 18 points, won only two matches, and finished the campaign with a total of 0 points.

Things are already looking up in 25/27, however, as a renewed sense of hope has led them to pick up two victories. One in the EFL Cup against Championship opposition Bolton Wanderers, and the other with an opening-day win over Leyton Orient.

The match in London was ignited with some unfamiliar good fortune for Wednesday when midfielder Slattery closed down a clearance from the Orient goalkeeper, with his interference causing the ball to bounce kindly into the net.

From then on, things got hairier as a slick move from Orient gave them the equalizer before half time. A second-half penalty that Jamal Lowe converted, sealing the proceedings and giving the away side a much-needed winning start.

Bradford were also left slightly disappointed after a loss in the playoffs to Bolton, which stopped them from achieving back-to-back promotions last season. Nonetheless, they have continued the positivity from a playoff run into this year, as they have also started quickly out of the blocks with back-to-back victories.

An anticipated victory over League Two newsboys from Rochdale in the EFL Cup: Before facing League Two newcomers Rochdale in the EFL Cup, Bradford secured a round one victory over Peterborough at Valley Parade. Bradford secured a round one victory over Peterborough at Valley Parade. 

An opening goal from defender Gillesphy early in the second half gave the Bantams the lead, which was then doubled by Nick Powell just fifteen minutes from time to end proceedings with a 2-0 win.

With 21 years of waiting for a league meeting, both will be hoping to get bragging rights and more points on the board under the lights as they look to achieve a season full of success and promotion.

Date: 20/08/2026

Time: 20:00

Venue: Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield

The match will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football