EVERTON v NEWCASTLE
What a fantastic opportunity for the fans to compare two top strikers at opposite ends of the age spectrum - 17-year-old Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer, at 33 nearly twice the age of the current England hot shot.
The former England skipper, by far and away THE top scorer in the Premiership, has just agreed a contract extension that will see him celebrate his 35th birthday as a Newcastle player, and don't rule out him adding another year to make it a decade of service to his home-town club.
Meanwhile, Everton manager David Moyes has to consider if he should include Rooney after his England heroics in midweek. Crazy, isn't it, now a certain first choice for his country but not for his club, Wayne could be on the bench come Saturday. If so, it won't be for long.
Nigel Martyn is standing by for his Everton debut as Richard Wright is struggling with a problem knee. The other new arrivals, former player Francis Jeffers, and Kevin Kilbane are both expected to start but Li Tie is out with a knee injury, Scot Gemmill is also out. Gary Naysmith is expected to drop back into defence at the expense of David Unsworth and Thomas Gravesen is set for his second start of the season. Lee Carsley is fit again though he is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench.
Craig Bellamy could return to The Magpies starting line-up, after his knee problem emerged no worse after the defeat by Italy. But Jonathan Woodgate is still out after his hernia problem. Jermaine Jenas has had an operation on his teeth and remains doubtful.
But Newcastle's preparation for the Goodison game hasn't been helped by Laurent Roberts's astonishing attack on Sir Bobby Robson about his tactical acumen. A bit like slagging off Father Christmas, Robert me old fruit.
The verbal assault may have had something to do with Robson's decision to leave the Frenchman out of the last two games. Robert is quoted as saying: "In my opinion it's about failure to play the best players in their correct position." Could he possibly be referring to a certain wide French player? A word of advice Loz, not the best way to get back into the team, nez pas?
BEARDO'S VERDICT: It should be a cracker of a game and Newcastle will be grateful to take a point from Merseyside although the result could come down to who has the better day, Rooney or Shearer? I'll call it all square.
BLACKBURN v LIVERPOOLBlackburn entertain manager Graeme Souness' old club in what promises to be an important clash, certainly in terms of Liverpool's title aspirations for the season that only saw the team's first Premiership win just before the international break.
Rovers' newly-arrived international signings will be busting a gut to get at Liverpool and Barry Ferguson is set for his debut after signing from Glasgow Rangers, another of the manager's former clubs. Ferguson may even make the starting line-up and could form a formidable axis with Brett Emerton, who has been given the all-clear on a calf problem that threatened to keep him out.
Steven Reid is banned and Craig Short is out injured but, on a day of reunions, Markus Babbel will face the club he left after falling out with Gerard Houllier. Patrice Luzi will be on the bench, as back up to Jerzy Dudek following the hamstring injury suffered by Chris Kirkland while on international duty with England's Under 21 side.
Another person who might have problems negotiating which dressing room to enter is former Rovers' player Stephane Henchoz. He is expected to be fit after shaking off a thigh strain after representing Switzerland in midweek but Friday was a key day for Gerard Houllier as the Liverpool manager will have sweated on the return of no less than EIGHTEEN internationals who have been away from Anfield for a fortnight.
Blackburn are slowly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League and have made steady progress since Souness took them to promotion, the Worthington Cup win and now the UEFA Cup competition.
BEARDO'S VERDICT: This is a game between equals although the deciding factor could be in the striking department where, despite Liverpool's great reliance on Michael Owen, they must still have the edge on Rovers for whom you never know which Dwight Yorke or Andy Cole is going to turn up. But I think Mr Souness might be the happier bunny come 4 45pm.
