Rooney to run the Anfield gauntlet as Gerrard returns

THE PREMIER League returns after the international break with one of the biggest fixtures of the season at Anfield, where Liverpool entertain their deadly rivals Manchester United.

The Saturday lunchtime clash is the main draw in this round of games but there is plenty more to look forward to afterwards as Manchester City host unbeaten Aston Villa and Chelsea try to keep pace with the league leaders as they play Everton.

At the bottom the Lancashire derby between Wigan and Bolton could be classified as a six-pointer, even though we are still in October.

Here's The First Post's guide to the best of the weekend's action:

Liverpool v Man United
Premier League games don't come any larger than this. Manchester United face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime with two of the biggest names in English football standing firmly in the spotlight. First there is the return of Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard who is expected to be in the starting line-up for the first time since March. It's quite a game to make a comeback in, but who would bet against Stevie G making his mark?

However, he will have to produce something pretty special to keep his England team mate Wayne Rooney out of the headlines. Rooney will, as ever, run the gauntlet at Anfield and he will be under even greater scrutiny than usual after being handed a three-match international ban after his sending off against Montenegro last week. He is already hated by the Kop for playing for their two greatest rivals, Everton and United, and now he has let his country down. His reception should be quite something.

All that has managed to overshadow the enmity between Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish, who first crossed swords 25 years ago. All things considered it should be quite an atmosphere inside Anfield and despite their fine start to the season league-leaders United would probably settle for a point and having all 11 men on the pitch come the final whistle.

Manchester City v Aston Villa
If United do slip up at lunchtime then City will have the opportunity to go top if they can beat Aston Villa in the afternoon. Indeed a convincing win could put them above United even if their rivals win at Anfield. One man who is unlikely to get a run out at the Etihad Stadium is Carlos Tevez, who has been forced to train on his own this week after being banished from the squad for a fortnight for refusing to play against Bayern Munich. But City need not be too concerned by his absence. Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero started the season in fine form and Mario Balotelli has come good in recent games. The Citizens look a good bet at home as well. They have won all three of their home games this season without conceding a goal.

Villa are unbeaten this season and have a lively looking front pairing of Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor, but although they will hope to break City's record of not conceding it's unlikely they will be leaving with any points.

Chelsea v Everton
The evening kick-off on Saturday sees Chelsea entertain Everton at Stamford Bridge, the Blues' home for over 100 years. But this week all the talk in the blue part of west London has been about a new stadium and Roman Abramovich's plans to relocate the club. It will be interesting to see if the fans, who are against the idea, make their views known during the match. Manager Andre Villas-Boas has said he has no problem with a move, and will be hoping his stance does not alienate the support. But he is more likely to be judged by events on the pitch than off it and the Blues have been quietly going about their business and are still in touch with the Manchester clubs.

The Portuguese is still without the suspended Fernando Torres, but Didier Drogba and Daniel Sturridge are more than capable of filling the void. Everton will be able to play Jack Rodwell after his red card in the Merseyside derby was overturned, but the Toffees remain thin on firepower and badly need Tim Cahill to rediscover his mojo in front of goal. Sadly for David Moyes it looks like a third straight defeat.

Arsenal v Sunderland
What can we expect from Arsenal this week? The Gunners entertain Sunderland in this, ahem, bottom-of-the-table clash at the Emirates on Sunday lunchtime. Steve Bruce is one of the few managers who has come in for as much stick as Arsene Wenger this season so tensions will be high on the touchline. Perhaps fortunately, given the treatement meted out to Emmanuel Adebayor by the Arsenal fans during the north London derby, on-loan Sunderland striker Nicklas Bendtner is not eligible to play for the Black Cats against his parent club, so will be spared the wrath of the Gooners.

However, the supporters will expect to win this game and things could turn ugly if the team under-perform. Wenger is still without the likes of Thomas Vermaelen, Jack Wilshere and Bacary Sagna but the new signings have had time to bed in and there can be no excuse for anything other than a victory.

Newcastle v Tottenham
The final game of the weekend sees Newcastle entertain Spurs on Tyneside. The high-flying Magpies have surprised everyone so far this season while Spurs, who are two places below them in sixth, have aspirations of a top-four finish. Harry Redknapp's work in the transfer market has paid off with new arrivals Emmanuel Adebayor and Scott Parker making a favourable impression at White Hart Lane. The Lilywhites will also be buoyed by their victory against Arsenal last time out and will want to build on that success.

Newcastle are one of five unbeaten sides in the Premier League, but have yet to come up against top quality opposition - although they did get a 0-0 draw against Arsenal on the first day of the season. The Magpies team does have some shortcomings and they could be exposed by Spurs, but Alan Pardew will be hopeful of extending his unbeaten run.

This weekend's other games see newly-promoted Norwich and Swansea clash at Carrow Road, QPR take on Blackburn at Loftus Road, Fulham meet Stoke at the Britannia Stadium and lowly Wigan make the short trip to even-lowlier Bolton. And on Sunday there is the small matter of the Black Country derby between West Brom and Wolves to look forward to. ·