Hearts and Rangers are in qualifying action for the Europa League on a big night for Scottish football in continental competitions.
Hibernian and Motherwell continue their bids to reach the Conference League, in addition to Irish clubs Shelbourne and Bohemians.
In cricket’s The Hundred, there is a derby double-header between London Spirit and MI London at Lord’s.
Tricky Lisbon trip for Hearts as Rangers go to Poland
After failing to qualify for the Champions League, Hearts and new head coach Wouter Vrancken begin their quest to reach the Europa League with a tricky trip to Lisbon.
The Scottish Premiership runners-up take on two-time European champions Benfica – managed by former Fulham boss Marco Silva – in the first leg of the third qualifying round. Kick-off is at 8pm on Premier Sports 2.
Derek McInnes, who departed Tynecastle in the summer after falling agonisingly short of the title last term, takes new side Rangers to Polish club Jagiellonia Bialystok at the same stage of the competition. Live coverage is at 5pm on Rangers TV.
In the third qualifying round for the Conference League, Motherwell play away to HJK Helsinki at 5pm and Hibernian host North Macedonian outfit Shkendija at 8pm, with both matches on Solidsport.
Also in that competition, Shelbourne go to Dutch giants Ajax at 7pm on Premier Sports 1, while fellow League of Ireland side Bohemians host Danish side Midtjylland at 7.45pm on Solidsport.
Elsewhere in football, Bristol City take on Walsall at Ashton Gate in the first round of the Carabao Cup at 7.45pm on SkySports+.
London derby in The Hundred
Reigning champions MI London will bid to strengthen their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of The Hundred men’s competition against London Spirit.
In the women’s tournament, MI London sit bottom of the table and go in search of a first win of the campaign to move level on points with opponents London Spirit.
Live coverage of the women’s match is at 3pm on Sky Sports Main Event, with the men’s contest on the same channel at 6pm.
What else is happening on Thursday?
Coverage of the National Bank Open in Canada will be screened at 4pm on Sky Sports Tennis and from 9.30pm on Sky Sports Main Event.
In golf, PGA Tour action from the Wyndham Championship is on Sky Sports Golf at 11.45am and 6pm, with the PIF London Championship from the Ladies European Tour at 2pm on the same channel.
Second-bottom Hull FC travel to mid-table St Helens in the Betfred Super League from 7.30pm on Sky Sports Action.
Coverage of stage six of the Tour de France Women begins at 2.30pm on TNT Sports 1.
On this day in history
1926: Gertrude Ederle, a 19-year-old New Yorker, became the first woman to swim the English Channel. She made the crossing from Cap Gris-Nez to Deal in 14 hours and 39 minutes, cutting two hours off the record.
1961: Stirling Moss enjoyed the 16th and last Formula One victory of his career at the Nurburgring when he won the German Grand Prix in a Lotus-Climax.
2016: Adam Ramsay-Peaty shattered his own world record in the heats of the 100 metres breaststroke at the Rio Olympics with a time of 57.55 seconds.
2019: Derby announced Wayne Rooney would join the club as a player-coach on an initial 18-month contract from January 2020.
