The best live sport on TV this week: 5th to 12th August

With football's new season just around the corner, the sporting spotlight this week falls on cricket, motorsport and tennis. The Carabao Cup first round kicks off, while the MotoGP arrives at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix, Premier Padel's first-ever London P1 tournament reaches its climax, and The Hundred continues to deliver fast-paced entertainment. Add in the Canadian Open, IndyCar from Portland, live boxing and overnight MLB, and there's plenty to keep sports fans busy.

Scroll down for the biggest sporting highlights from Wednesday 5 to Wednesday 12 August in our guide to the best live sport on TV this week. And don't forget to bookmark this page for your weekly sporting picks on Virgin TV.

Pick of the day
Arsenal v Real Betis: Pre Season Friendly
7.30pm, Premier Sports 1 HD (CH 528)

Arsenal continue their preparations for the new campaign with an attractive pre-season clash against Spanish side Real Betis. Mikel Arteta's men will be looking to build momentum ahead of the Premier League season, while Betis provide high-quality opposition in what should be a competitive test for both teams. With supporters eager to see new signings and emerging talents in action, this is one of the standout football fixtures of the week.

What else to watch:

• ATP & WTA Canadian Open: Day 4
  12am, Sky Sports Tennis HD (CH 508)

• Major League Baseball: Los Angeles Dodgers @ Chicago Cubs
  1am, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

• Copa do Brasil Football: Remo v Santos
  1.30am, Premier Sports 2 HD (CH 529)

• The Hundred: Manchester Super Giants v Welsh Fire (Women)
  11.30am, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• Women’s Tour de France
  12.30pm, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

• West Indies v Pakistan, 2^nd Test, Day 4
  2.30pm, TNT Sports 2 HD (CH 522)

• The Hundred: Manchester Super Giants v Welsh Fire (Men)
  3pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• The Hundred: Trent Rockets v Birmingham Phoenix (Women)
  3pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• The Hundred: Trent Rockets v Birmingham Phoenix (Men)
  6.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

Pick of the day
The Hundred: London Spirit v MI London (Men)
6.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

A London derby takes centre stage in The Hundred as London Spirit and MI London go head-to-head at Lord's. With both sides aiming to strengthen their positions in the table, expect plenty of attacking cricket and a lively atmosphere under the lights. Featuring some of the competition's biggest names, this promises to be one of the standout matches of the week.

What else to watch:

• ATP & WTA Canadian Open: Day 5
  12am, Sky Sports Tennis HD (CH 508)

• WNBA: Seattle Storm @ New York Liberty
  12am, Sky Sports Action HD (CH 510)

• Major League Baseball: St Louis Cardinals @ New York Yankees
  12.05am, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

• WNBA: Los Angeles Sparks @ Chicago Sky
  2am, Sky Sports Action HD (CH 510)

• West Indies v Pakistan, 2^nd Test, Day 5
  2.30pm, TNT Sports 2 HD (CH 522)

• The Hundred: London Spirit v MI London (Women)
  3pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• Bristol v Walsall: Carabao Cup 1^st Round
  7.45pm, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 504)

• Major League Baseball: Pittsburgh Pirates @ Milwaukee Brewers
  7.10pm, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

Pick of the day
Middlesbrough v Wrexham: Carabao Cup 1^st Round
8pm, Sky Sports Main Event HD, Sky Sports Football HD (CH 501/503)

Two ambitious Championship clubs meet in the opening round of the Carabao Cup as Middlesbrough host Wrexham at the Riverside Stadium. With both sides hoping to make an early statement this season, the cup tie offers a chance to build momentum and secure a place in the next round. Expect a lively atmosphere and plenty of attacking intent as the teams battle for progression.

What else to watch:

• Premier Padel London P1 Women's Quarterfinals
  10am, TNT Sports 4 HD (CH 524)

• MotoGP British Grand Prix
  From 10am, TNT Sports 2 HD (CH 522)

• The Hundred: Birmingham Phoenix v Sunrisers Leeds (Women)
  3pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• The Hundred: Birmingham Phoenix v Sunrisers Leeds (Men)
  6.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• Wycombe Wanderers v Stevenage: Carabao Cup 1^st Round
  7.45pm, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 504)

• Wolves v Port Vale: Carabao Cup 1^st Round
  7.45pm, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 504)

• IndyCar Series Racing: Grand Prix of Portland Practice 1
  10.30pm, Sky Sports F1 HD (CH 507)

• ATP & WTA Canadian Open
  11pm, Sky Sports Tennis HD (CH 508)

Pick of the day
Boxing: Aaron McKenna vs Etinosa Oliha
7pm, Sky Sports Main Event HD, Sky Sports Action HD (CH 501/510)

Irish middleweight Aaron McKenna faces the toughest test of his professional career when he takes on unbeaten Italian Etinosa Oliha. With both fighters looking to move closer to a world-title shot, there's plenty at stake in what promises to be a high-quality contest. Expect an intriguing clash of styles as two rising contenders put their records on the line in a pivotal night of boxing.

What else to watch:

• Major League Baseball: Atlanta Braves @ New York Yankees
  12.05am, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

• The Hundred: MI London v Trent Rockets (Women)
  11am, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• Premier Padel London P1
  From 12pm, TNT Sports 4 HD (CH 524)

• Cambridge United v Barnet: Carabao Cup 1^st Round
  1pm, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 504)

• Queens Park Rangers v Millwall: Carabao Cup 1^st Round
  2pm, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 504)

• The Hundred: MI London v Trent Rockets (Men)
  2.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• The Hundred: Southern Brave v Manchester Super Giants (Women)
  2.30pm, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 511)

• Bayer Leverkusen v Sevilla: Pre Season Friendly
  2.30pm, Premier Sports 1 HD (CH 528)

• Carabao Cup 1^st Round: Soccer Saturday
  3pm, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 504)

• Rotherham United v West Bromwich Albion: Carabao Cup
  5.30pm, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 504)

• Cheltenham Town v Charlton Athletic: Carabao Cup
  5.30pm, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 504)

• Colchester United v Southampton: Carabao Cup
  5.30pm, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 504)

• The Hundred: Southern Brave v Manchester Super Giants (Men)
  6pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• UFC Fight Night: Mateusz Gamrot v Quillan Salkilld
  10pm, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

Pick of the day
Mansfield Town v Sheffield Wednesday: Carabao Cup 1^st Round
4pm, Sky Sports Main Event HD, Sky Sports Football HD (CH 501/503)

The Carabao Cup gets under way with an all-English Football League clash as Mansfield Town take on Sheffield Wednesday. Cup competitions often produce surprises, and both sides will be eager to start their campaign with a victory and build momentum for the season ahead. With a place in the second round at stake, expect a fiercely contested encounter as local pride and cup progression go on the line.

What else to watch:

• Major League Baseball: Houston Astros @ San Diego Padres
  12.15am, TNT Sports 3 HD (CH 523)

• Undisputed Bantamweight Title: Cherneka Johnson v Dina Thorslund
  3am, Sky Sports Action HD (CH 510)

• MotoGP British Grand Prix
  From 9.30am, TNT Sports 2 HD (CH 522)

• The Hundred: Sunrisers Leeds v Welsh Fire (Women)
  11am, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• Scottish Premiership: Kilmarnock v Celtic
  1.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event HD, Sky Sports Football HD (CH 501/503)

• Premier Padel London P1 Women's Final
  2pm, TNT Sports 4 HD (CH 524)

• The Hundred: Sunrisers Leeds v Welsh Fire (Men)
  2.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• The Hundred: London Spirit v Birmingham Phoenix (Women)
  2.30pm, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 511)

• Premier Padel London P1 Men's Final
  4pm, TNT Sports 4 HD (CH 524)

• Scottish Premiership: Rangers v Hibernian
  4pm, Premier Sports 1 HD (CH 528)

• The Hundred: London Spirit v Birmingham Phoenix (Men)
  6pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• Major League Baseball: Atlanta Braves @ New York Yankees
  6.35pm, TNT Sports 3 HD (CH 523)

• WNBA: Dallas Wings @ Minnesota Lynx
  8.30pm, Sky Sports Action HD (CH 510)

• WNBA: Los Angeles Dodges @ Arizona Diamondbacks
  9pm, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

• IndyCar Series Racing: Grand Prix of Portland Race
  9pm, Sky Sports F1 HD (CH 507)

Pick of the day
European Athletics Championships: Day 1
From 10.30am, TNT Sports 3 HD (CH 523)

One of the biggest events in the athletics calendar gets under way as Europe's top track and field stars gather to compete for continental honours. Day one features the opening rounds across a range of disciplines, with medal contenders looking to make an early statement and secure their place in the latter stages. With national pride and championship titles on the line, the European Athletics Championships promise four days of world-class competition.

What else to watch:

• ATP & WTA Canadian Open
  12am, Sky Sports Tennis HD (CH 508)

• Major League Baseball: Houston Astros @ San Diego Padres
  1.15am, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

• The Hundred: Trent Rockets v Southern Brave (Women)
  3pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• The Hundred: Trent Rockets v Southern Brave (Men)
  6.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• Plymouth Argyle v Exeter City: Carabao Cup 1^st Round
  8pm, Sky Sports Main Event HD, Sky Sports Football HD (CH 501/503)

Pick of the day
The Hundred: Manchester Super Giants v Sunrisers Leeds (Men)
6.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

The race for the knockout stages continues as Manchester Super Giants welcome Sunrisers Leeds in a potentially crucial clash in The Hundred. With the competition entering its decisive phase, every point matters and both teams will be eager to strengthen their play-off hopes. Expect big hitting, high-quality bowling and plenty of drama as two sides with ambitions of reaching the latter stages go head-to-head.

What else to watch:

• ATP & WTA Canadian Open
  12am, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 504)

• Major League Baseball: New York Mets @ Atlanta Braves
  12.15am, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

• WNBA: Toronto Tempo @ Atlanta Dream
  1am, Sky Sports Action HD (CH 510)

• WNBA: Chicago Sky @ Seattle Storm
  3.30am, Sky Sports Action HD, Sky Sports Mix HD (CH 510/511)

• European Athletics Championship: Day 2
  From 10.30am, TNT Sports 3 HD (CH 523)

• The Hundred: Manchester Super Giants v Sunrisers Leeds (Women)
  3pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

Pick of the day
Paris Saint Germain v Aston Villa: UEFA Super Cup
8pm, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

European silverware is on the line as UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain take on Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup. The traditional curtain-raiser to the European club season pits two continental trophy winners against each other in a one-off showdown, with Villa aiming to claim another major honour against one of Europe's most formidable sides. With elite talent on display and a prestigious trophy at stake, this promises to be one of the standout football matches of the summer.

What else to watch:

• Major League Baseball: Seattle Mariners @ New York Yankees
  12.05am, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

• European Athletics Championships: Day 3
  From 10.30am, TNT Sports 3 HD (CH 523)

• The Hundred: Welsh Fire v London Spirit (Women)
  11.30am, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• The Hundred: Welsh Fire v London Spirit (Men)
  3pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• The Hundred: Birmingham Phoenix v MI London (Women)
  3pm, Sky Sports Mix HD, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 511/504)

• Newcastle United v Everton: Pre Season Friendly
  5.15pm, Premier Sports 1 HD (CH 528)

• The Hundred: Birmingham Phoenix v MI London (Men)
  6.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event HD, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 501/505)

• Major League Baseball: Philadelphia Phillies @ St Louis Cardinals
  7.15pm, TNT Sports 2 HD (CH 522)

• Manchester United v Leeds United: Pre Season Friendly
  7.30pm, Premier Sports 2 HD (CH 529)

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