G'day sports fans,

Today is issue #95 of Sport Journal. For our 100th issue (15th July), we are hoping to reveal something pretty cool. 😎

If I can ask a favour,

if you are into your horse racing, can you please hit reply to this mail to let me know. You can say "I'm interested, "Yes", "I like Horse Racing", "Horsey McHorseface" or whatever.

I'll then email you individually just to ask a couple of questions about an idea we have. I'm excited about it but just want to make sure enough of you would be keen. Cheers, Adam.

In today's edition of Sport Journal;

🏉 Golden Point Classic and Rd 8 previews

🇦🇺 Round 5 Previews

🌭 Hotdog eating

...and lots more.

⚽️ Live EPL:

FT: Sheff Utd 3-1 Spurs:

• Berge scores first Blades goal since restart

• Kane scores late consolation after Mousset and McBurnie score

HT: Man City 3-0 Liverpool

• De Bruyne converts from the spot

• Sterling gives City control with second goal,

• Foden makes it 3-0 - Phil Foden has now scored as many Premier League goals as Liverpool since the restart.

🌭 Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest

Everything you need to know about America's most important Fourth of July tradition.

Where: Brooklyn, New York

When: Saturday, July 4, Noon ET (2am AEST Sunday)

Duration: 10 minutes

Channel: ESPN (yes, really)

Men's: Joey Chestnut, the most dominant athlete at this particular competitive eating event, is in search of his 13th career Mustard Yellow Belt. He could try and break his world record of 74 hot dogs and buns that he set when the competition was in Brooklyn two years ago. The field are (6.50) against him.

Women's: Miki Sudo will try to win her seventh career women's title at Nathan's. The field are (5.00) against her retaining her title.

🏉 Golden point classic

The Storm have beaten the Roosters 27-25 in a golden point thriller that had absolutely everything at Suncorp Stadium. (match report)

Greg Alexander called the finish ‘unbelievable’, while the man of the moment Cameron Smith called it ‘one of the best wins he has been a part of’.

With just 9minutes to go, Melbourne looked gone at 22-12. However, 2 tries through Jahrome Hughes (72'), and Paul Momirovski (74'), meant Kyle Flanagan had to land his penalty to keep Roosters in it (78').

Luke Keary and Ryan Papenhuyzen traded field goals in the 79th minute to take it to extra time.

A simple penalty from in front of the posts in extra-time from Smith sealed it.

🏉 Round 8

Raiders (1.27) v Dragons (3.80) - (match preview): Key match up Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad v Matt Dufty. 12 of the Raiders last 14 matches have gone UNDER the total points line (39.5pts).

Eels (1.36) v Cowboys (3.15) - (match preview): Field at halfback (for Moses); McLean ruled out. Parramatta have won their last 4 home matches by 1-12pts.

Titans (2.75) v Sharks (1.45) - (match preview): These two sides piled on 70 points between them in round seven as they broke the shackles in a big way to post impressive wins.

Warriors (2.65) v Broncos (1.48) - (match preview): A desperate battle between 14th and 15th on the ladder and for the losing side the very real possibility of dropping to last. 7 of the Warriors' last 8 games have gone OVER total match points (43.5pts).

West Tigers (2.60) v Panthers (1.50) - (match preview): Both teams will be feeling good about their current standings, West Tigers in 6th, while the Panthers are riding high in second spot. Penrith have won their last 5 against West Tigers in Sydney.

Sea Eagles (2.10) v Knights (1.74) - (match preview): DCE, Pearce renew Origin rivalry. Manly have won 12 of their last 13 home matches against Newcastle.

Bulldogs (4.20) v Rabbitohs (1.23) - (match preview): Player stat: Latrell Mitchell’s passing game has been impressive, he leads in the NRL in line-break assists with eight.Last 4 matches between the two have gone UNDER total match points (40.5pts)

🇦🇺 That's Better - Speedy St Kilda runs rings around Carlton

Carlton 55 (8.7) v St Kilda 73 (11.7) - St Kilda by 18

The Saints (3-2) moved into the top four with the win - likely temporarily - which was set up by a brilliant first half featuring the blistering ball movement and exciting footy that is becoming their trademark.

The Blues (2-3) never got closer than three goals back, as yet another poor start proved costly. (Fox)

🇦🇺 Round 5 Previews

Friday

Collingwood (1.35) v Essendon (3.25): These sides played two hotly contested matches last season, both of which Collingwood won by under two goals. Each of Essendon's last 3 matches have been decided by 15pts or less.

Saturday

West Cost Eagles (1.55) v Sydney Swans (2.45): Recent history between these clubs could also be a cause for concern for the Eagles, with the Swans having won each of their last three matchups by an average margin of 29.7 points.

Geelong Cats (1.31) v Gold Coast Suns (3.50): Gold Coast has struggled immensely on previous visits to Geelong, losing each of its five matches by an average margin of 86.6 points.

Western Bulldogs (1.71) v North Melbourne (2.15): North Melbourne have won 6 of their last 7 night matches at Marvel Stadium.

Brisbane Lions (1.90) v Port Adelaide (1.90): Port remained undefeated this season with an 89-41 victory over West Coast. Brisbane have hit their straps since the season resumed three weeks ago, winning three consecutive fixtures.

Sunday

Adelaide Crows (2.50) v Fremantle (1.54): One of these two cellar dwellers will earn their first of the season on Sunday. Adelaide still remains winless at the bottom of the ladder with no real signs of encouragement in sight. Fremantle have put up a fight at times this year but the loss of their captain doesn't help. Obviously

Melbourne (2.50) v Richmond (1.54): The Demons appear the perfect prey for the Tigers this week as they hope to earn their first win since the restart.

GWS Giants (1.60) v Hawthorn (2.30): The fourth-place Hawks can make it three in a row, but they’ll need to avoid a repeat of last weeks fourth quarter. The Giants were forced to sweat it in the final 2 minutes against Collingwood, a performance that should do Leon Cameron’s side wonders after a sloppy start to the season.

⚽️ Steph Catley signs for Arsenal

Arsenal Women have made experienced Australia defender Steph Catley their first summer signing. (5 time W-League Championship and 2 times W-League Premiership winner).

The 26-year-old full-back joins the Gunners from Melbourne Victory.

"Arsenal is a place where I've imagined myself playing for a long time," Catley told the club website.

⚽️ A-League return

The 2019-20 A-League campaign will return with 27 regular season matches to be played in 28 days ahead of a finals series set to conclude with an August 23 grand final.

Almost all of the remaining matches will be played in NSW, where five venues – ANZ Stadium, Bankwest Stadium, Central Coast Stadium, McDonald Jones Stadium, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium – will be used.

One match – Brisbane Roar’s July 19 clash with Adelaide United – will be played Gold Coast venue Cbus Super Stadium before both teams head to the NSW hub.

🏉 Here come the Aussies, it's Super Rugby AU

Australia welcomes the return of professional rugby union on Friday, as the launch of Super Rugby AU brings to an end a shutdown marked by pay disputes, boardroom upheaval and redundancies triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

The country's four Super Rugby teams and Perth-based Western Force will play in a full home-and-away competition culminating in a two-week play-offs.

Today: Reds (1.33) vs Waratahs (3.10): Reds coach Brad Thorn has taken a swipe at the Waratahs, questioning whether NSW State of Origin great Paul Gallen (who ran out 24 times for the Blues) should have been allowed to address the Tahs this week at the team’s Sydney headquarters.

It comes as Reds captain Liam Wright declared he wanted to “smash” the boys in blue.

Saturday: Brumbies (1.3) vs Rebels (3.20): Matt Toomua (Rebels) says his side will do whatever it takes to stay on the road. Which mean an extended stint away from home as other states respond to Melbourne's escalating second wave of coronavirus infections.

Should be too relatively easy wins for the Reds and Brumbies, but it's sure to get feisty!

⚾️ MLB IS coming back

It took a while, and some players are sitting out the shortened 2020 season entirely, but most of the boys of summer will start play in late July.

The regular season will begin on either July 23 or 24. The New York Post reports that the Yankees visiting the defending champion Nationals on July 23 will be the potential prime time game.

🏀 2 million a day

Completing the final three months of the season at the Walt Disney World Resort is set to cost the NBA more $150m ($A216m), according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.

That is $1.5m ($A2.17m) a day for the 22 remaining teams to play their final eight regular season games and then the playoffs.

The league will be housing 22 teams and their staff for three months exclusively across three resorts, as well as organising seven practice courts.

🏀 A Tasmanian team is returning to the NBL after 25 years

The NBL will launch a social media campaign in the coming weeks for the public to name the new Tasmanian team to enter the league from the 2021-2022 NBL season.

The competition will introduce a 10th team from Tasmania after the league finalised its agreement with the Tasmanian Government to issue a licence to participate. (Fox)

Any ideas?

🐴 Don't forget; If you like horse racing, just reply to this mail and I'll pitch you our idea.

📺 Live sport

Friday

⛳️ 05:00 - PGA Tour, Rocket Mortgage Classic, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 05:15 - Premier League - Manchester City v Liverpool (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 05:45 - Serie A - Roma v Udinese (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 06:00 - La Liga - Real Madrid v Getafe (BeIN Sports 1)

🎮 09:00 - Esports Basketball, NBA 2K League (ESPN 2)

🏉 18:00 - NRL - Canberra Raiders v St George Illawarra Dragons (Fox League)

🏎 19:00 - Austrian F1 GP - Practice 1, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

🏉 19:05 - Super Rugby AU - Reds v Waratahs (Fox Sports)

🇦🇺 19:50 - AFL - Collingwood Magpies v Essendon Bombers (Fox Footy or 7mate)

🏉 19:55 - NRL - Parramatta Eels v North Queensland Cowboys (Fox League or Nine)

🐕 21:08 - Group 2, Bendigo Cup, 425m (Sky Racing 1)

🏎 23:00 - Austrian F1 GP - Practice 2, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

Saturday

⛳️ 05:00 - PGA Tour - Rocket Mortgage Classic, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 05:15 - English Championship - Charlton Athletic v Millwall (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 06:00 - La Liga - Atletico Madrid v RCD Mallorca (BeIN Sports 1)

🚘 06:30 - IndyCar - Indianapolis GP Qualifying, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

🇦🇺 13:45 - AFL - West Coast Eagles v Sydney Swans (Fox Footy or 7mate)

🏉 15:00 - NRL - Gold Coast Titans v Cronulla Sharks (Fox League)

🇦🇺 16:35 - AFL - Geelong Cats v Gold Coast Suns (Fox Footy)

🏉 17:05 - Super Rugby Aotearoa - Highlanders v Crusaders (Fox Sports)

🏉 17:30 - NRL - Warriors v Brisbane Broncos (Fox League)

🏎 18:25 - Formula 3 Austria, Race 1, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 19:00 - J1 League - Gamba Osaka v Cerezo Osaka (Optus Sport 4)

⚽️ 19:00 - J1 League - Shimizu S-Pulse v Nagoya Grampus (Optus Sport 3)

🏉 19:15 - Super Rugby AU - Brumbies v Rebels (Fox Sports)

🐎 19:20 - Harness Racing, Group 3 Pacers Lexus Of Macarthur Pace, 1,609m (Sky Racing 1)

🏉 19:35 - NRL - Wests Tigers v Penrith Panthers (Fox League)

🇦🇺 19:40 - AFL - Western Bulldogs v North Melb. Kangaroos (Fox Footy or 7mate)

🇦🇺 19:40 - AFL - Brisbane Lions v Port Adelaide Power (Fox Sports)

🏎 20:00 - Austrian F1 GP Practice 3, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 20:00 - J1 League - Urawa Red Diamonds v Yokohama F. Marinos (Optus Sport 5)

⚽️ 20:30 - J1 League - Vissel Kobe v Sanfrecce Hiroshima (Optus Sport 6)

⚽️ 21:30 - Premier League - Norwich City v Brighton & Hove Albion (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 21:30 - English Championship - Derby County v Nottingham Forest (BeIN Sports 2)

🏎 23:00 - Austrian F1 GP - Qualifying, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

Sunday

⚽️ 05:00 - Premier League - Chelsea v Watford (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 05:45 - Serie A - Lazio v Milan (BeIN Sports 1)

⚽️ 06:00 - La Liga - Granada v Valencia (BeIN Sports 2)

🇦🇺 13:05 - AFL - Adelaide Crows v Fremantle Dockers (Fox Footy)

🏉 13:35 - Super Rugby Aotearoa - Chiefs v Hurricanes (Fox Sports)

🇦🇺 15:35 - AFL - Melbourne Demons v Richmond Tigers (Fox Footy)

🏉 16:05 - NRL - Manly Sea Eagles v Newcastle Knights (Fox League or Nine)

🏎 17:45 - Formula 3 Austria, Race 2, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

🇦🇺 18:10 - AFL - GWS Giants v Hawthorn Hawks (Fox Footy or 7mate)

🏉 18:30 - NRL - Canterbury Bulldogs v South Sydney Rabbitohs (Fox League)

🏎 19:10 - Formula 2 Austria, Race 2, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 20:00 - K League 1 - Sangju Sangmu v Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (Optus Sport 4)

⚽️ 21:00 - Premier League - Burnley v Sheffield United (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 21:00 - English Championship - Swansea City v Sheffield Wednesday (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 22:00 - La Liga - Athletic Club Bilbao v Real Madrid (BeIN Sports 1)

🏎 23:10 - Austrian F1 GP Race, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 23:15 - Premier League - Newcastle United v West Ham United (Optus Sport 1)