Brace yourself for Manchester Derby, India vs Pakistan and more this weekend

By Moiz Mustafa

Sri Lankan sports fans are preparing for one of the most exciting weekends of 2025 as football, cricket, and athletics dominate screens today and tomorrow. With late-night Premier League clashes, Asia Cup showdowns in the UAE, and the World Athletics Championships getting underway, fans can expect non-stop drama and entertainment.

The Premier League is set to grab attention with a string of big fixtures. Arsenal welcome Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening, looking to sharpen their form after an uneven start. Later that night, Tottenham travel to West Ham for a heated London derby that always promises intensity. 

The early hours of Sunday bring Brentford against Chelsea, a test for the Blues at one of the league’s toughest venues. Later on, Liverpool head to Burnley in what could be a clash of styles, before the weekend’s main event — the Manchester Derby. 

Manchester City and Manchester United collide at the Etihad on Sunday night, with City’s attacking machine facing United’s counter-punching approach in a battle that could shape their campaigns.

Premier League 2025 – Fixtures (Sri Lanka Time)
Sat, Sep 13 – 17:00: Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
Sat, Sep 13 – 22:00: West Ham vs Tottenham
Sun, Sep 14 – 00:30: Brentford vs Chelsea
Sun, Sep 14 – 18:30: Burnley vs Liverpool
Sun, Sep 14 – 21:00: Manchester City vs Manchester United

Cricket fans will turn to the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE, where two group-stage games could define the competition. 

On Saturday night, Sri Lanka take on Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi at 8:00 p.m. SL time. It is a crucial contest for Group B, with Sri Lanka’s spinners expected to play a key role. 

On Sunday evening, the stage shifts to Dubai for the iconic India–Pakistan clash. With both sides boasting star-studded line-ups and fierce pace attacks, this is a fixture that captures the imagination of millions and extends far beyond sport.

Asia Cup 2025 – Group Stage

Match 5: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka – Sat, Sep 13 – 20:00 (Abu Dhabi, SL Time)

Match 6: India vs Pakistan – Sun, Sep 14 – 20:00 (Dubai, SL Time / 18:30 Local Time)

Beyond the Asia Cup, the weekend also features England vs South Africa in the third T20I of their series on Sunday evening. The game begins at 7:00 p.m. Sri Lanka time, with both sides using the contest to fine-tune ahead of global tournaments.

Adding to the mix, the World Athletics Championships 2025 open this weekend, with the first two days packed with sprints, middle-distance races, and field events showcasing the world’s elite.

Other Fixtures

England vs South Africa – 3rd T20I – Sun, Sep 14 – 19:00 (SL Time / 14:30 UK Time)

World Athletics Championships 2025 – Day 1 & 2 – All weekend

From the Manchester Derby to Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup clash with Bangladesh, from the high-voltage India–Pakistan showdown to the speed and power of athletics’ biggest stage, this weekend offers Sri Lankan fans a true festival of sport. 

Whether it’s football under floodlights, cricket rivalries in the desert, or the world’s fastest athletes, there is something for everyone.