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Three sporting figures in the spotlight this weekend

Sports Mole highlights three sporting figures in the spotlight this weekend.

It is an important weekend in the football calendar, with the start of the Premier League and Football League season just a week away and the Scottish League returning this afternoon.

There are several crucial matches South of the border too, with the women's FA Cup final and Community Shield taking place at Wembley.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at some of the sportspeople who will be under the spotlight in the next couple of days.



1. Petr Cech

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech will be hoping to lift his first silverware since completing his move to the Gunners earlier in the summer when he lines up in the Community Shield at Wembley tomorrow, but he will have to help his new side beat former club Chelsea to secure the trophy.

Petr Cech, the Arsenal goalkeeper warms up prior to the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and Olympique Lyonnais at the Emirates Stadium on July 25, 2015© Getty Images

The Czech international ended his 11-year stint at Stamford Bridge to make the move to Arsenal, having lost his regular place in the starting lineup to Belgian youngster Thibaut Courtois last season. With Wojciech Szczesny heading to Roma on loan, Cech seems certain to be Arsene Wenger's number one for the 2015-16 campaign.

It is likely to be an emotional fixture for the 33-year-old, who has admitted that he is still on good terms with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho despite his move. However, he will surely relish the chance to get one over on the side that condemned him to the bench for much of last season.

Cech has won the Community Shield twice before with Chelsea, along with four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, the Champions League and the Europa League.



2. Ronny Deila

Celtic manager Ronny Deila gets his second Scottish Premiership season underway this afternoon when his Hoops side take on Ross County at Celtic Park, hoping it will be the start of a fifth straight Scottish title.

The Norwegian had a tricky start to life as Celtic manager last campaign, with the side knocked out of the Champions League before the group stage and struggling at the start of the domestic campaign. He has insisted that he is better prepared this time around though.

Manager Ronny Deila of Celtic Glasgow reacts on the touchline during the Pre Season Friendly between SK Rapid Wien and Celtic Glasgow at Gerhard-Hanappi-Stadium on July 6, 2014© Getty Images

The visit of Ross County comes at a busy time for Celtic, as they are midway through a Champions League qualifier tie with Azerbaijani side Qarabag FK and face a trip to Baku on Wednesday, so Deila will be keen to avoid a morale-sapping defeat ahead of the journey.

With Rangers and Hibernian still in the Scottish Championship, Celtic begin the season with the weight of the favourites tag, but Aberdeen and Inverness Caledonian Thistle will both be keen to push the Hoops having finished as the best of the rest last term, while Hearts are also back in the top flight.



3. Laura Bassett

The women's FA Cup final takes place at Wembley for the first time this afternoon, and Notts County Women captain Laura Bassett will be hoping to be the first woman to lift the trophy at the national stadium.

England's Laura Bassett (L) looks on with teammates during their final training session at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Edmonton, on July 3, 2015© Getty Images

The England international will lead her side against Chelsea Women for the silverware just weeks after scoring the own goal which denied the Lionesses a spot in the World Cup final in Canada.

The defender admitted after her error against Japan that she wished no-one knew her name, but this afternoon's match presents her with a chance to be in the spotlight for the right reasons when she leads County out at the final for the first time in the club's history.

Bennett has the added pressure of facing England teammate Katie Chapman, who captains Chelsea. The defensive duo often lined up alongside each other in Mark Sampson's side at the World Cup, and will both be looking to lead their clubs to the trophy for the first time.

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