The sporting week ahead (15/05/11)

Today

The race not to get in the Europa League (i.e. by not finishing fifth) moves to Anfield, where Liverpool and Spurs will presumably both try to lose. At the bottom of the table, a humdinger as Wigan host West Ham. In rugby union, Saracens and Gloucester go head to head in a battle to reach the Premiership final.

Tomorrow

Beaten by Blackpool in last season's play-offs, Nottingham Forest will hope to avoid a repeat of the jitters as they travel to Swansea.

Tuesday

Also beaten by Blackpool in last season's play-offs, Cardiff will hope to avoid similar heartache as they host Reading. Meanwhile, if yesterday's FA Cup final wasn't enough for you, watch Man City play Stoke again... this time pride and points are at stake in the League. And the senior Sheff United side were woeful this season, but their youngsters are in the FA Youth Cup final against Manchester United. In golf, the hosts of the 2018 Ryder Cup will be named – five countries are in the running: France, Germany, Holland, Portugal and Spain (see above).

Wednesday

Leeds rugby fans will be praying for a Cornish Pirates victory tonight – a Worcester win will relegate the Tykes but the Pirates can't go up... apparently their ground isn't shipshape enough for the Premiership.

Thursday

In cricket, the England reserves (the Lions) play Sri Lanka in a four-day game at Derby, while early-season pacesetters Lancashire entertain Roses rivals Yorkshire at Liverpool.

Friday

Accrington Stanley (we all know who they are) are in play-off action against Stevenage, managed by that nice Graham Westley.

Saturday

The Premier League finale is pushed back 24 hours so the Heineken Cup final – Leinster v Northampton in Cardiff – takes centre stage. And finally, a couple of tasty boxing bouts as Nathan Cleverly fights Jürgen Brähmer in a world title fight while James DeGale meets George Groves in a genuine grudge match.