Rooney fitness doubt ahead of United's clash with Liverpool

IT promises to be quite a weekend of action in the FA Cup, with some huge local derbies and the possibility of some upsets.

There's no doubt about the two biggest clashes in the fourth round. The potentially explosive meetings between Liverpool and Manchester United and QPR and Chelsea.

Both these fixtures are grudge matches and will also be overshadowed by events earlier in the season. When the teams played each other in the league in October the matches were marred by allegations of racism that resulted in an eight-game ban for Liverpool's Luis Suarez and a criminal charge for Chelsea skipper John Terry.

With that in mind the FA and the Merseyside and Metropolitan police forces have warned the clubs to make sure their players, staff and fans are all on their best behaviour. And there have been calls from all four clubs for restraint.

Both games will kick off at lunchtime on Saturday to reduce the chance of trouble, and  the two games should set the tone for the weekend.

Liverpool v Manchester United
This has to be seen as the bigger of the two grudge matches on Saturday, after all it is one of the fiercest rivalries in world football between the two most famous clubs in the country.

Both sides have selection dilemmas. Alex Ferguson has something of an injury crisis on his hands with the news that Wayne Rooney is struggling to be fit will not help. Also likely to be sidelined are Phil Jones and Rio Ferdinand, and Nani is out with a foot injury. The man at the centre of attention will be Patrice Evra, the United full back, who was racially abused by Luis Suarez the last time the two clubs met. He did nothing wrong, but the Liverpool faithful may not see it that way and he is likely to get a hot reception.

As for Liverpool, they knocked one Manchester team, City, out of the Carling Cup on Wednesday and will be keen to add Mancuncian scalp to their collection. However, the man who masterminded that win, Craig Bellamy, is unlikely to be fit to start the game and with Suarez still banned, Kanny Dalglish could ask Andy Carroll to justify his £35m price tag up front. But it is more likely he'll go with Dirk Kuyt, and hope that Steven Gerrard can provide him with the support he will need.

The last thing these two clubs will want is a replay, but that could be the most likely outcome.

QPR v Chelsea
This one kicks of at noon on Saturday and all eyes will be on Anton Ferdinand and John Terry to see if they shake hands before the game. Their clash completely overshadowed the last game between these two, in which Chelsea suffered two sendings off and lost 1-0. It was that result which seemed to mark the start of the Blues' slump that has seen them disappear out of the title race.

QPR have a new manager now in Mark Hughes and if he can mastermind a win over Chelsea at Loftus Road he will be elevated to hero status on the spot. More likely is a win for Chelsea who, despite their travails, are still 12 places above Rangers in the table.

Blues fans will also be desperate for Fernando Torres to get himself on the scoresheet for the first time in over 15 hours of football. He has showed glimpses of his old self but needs a goal to get back on track.

Everton v Fulham
The first all-Premier League clash of the fourth round happens tonight at Goodison Park where Everton take on Fulham. Both these teams are lurking in mid-table and know that this is their only chance of silverware this season so will want to put a decent cup run together. Everton are unbeaten against Fulham in four matches and beat then 3-1 at Craven Cottage earlier in the season. However, Fulham have never lost to Everton in the Cup.

With Everton's poor goal-scoring record and Fulham's jekyll and hyde performances this season it is hard to know how to call this one.

Sunderland v Middlesbrough
Sunday's fare begins with Middlesbrough making the short trip to Sunderland to take on Martin O'Neill's rejuvinated outfit. The Black Cats will expect tomake short work of their local rivals as the teams are not only in different divisions they are experiencing differing fortunes. Boro's challenge at the top of the Championship has fallen away in recent weeks and they have one point from the last 12. Sunderland on the other hand are flying under O'Neill and will expect to progress/

Arsenal v Aston Villa
Arsenal badly need a good run in the cup and they cannot afford another defeat after being beaten by Manchester United last week. Arsene Wenger is under huge pressure having lost three league matches in a row and an early exit form the cup at the hands of Villa will not make things any easier.

Thierry Henry could be back in the squad for this one and if anything would lift the mood at the Emirates it would be another goal for the French legend.

Other big clashes
High flying Spurs, under the guidance of Joe Jordan in the absence of Harry Redknapp, face a tricky trip to Championship Watford tonight, in what just about constitutes a London derby. Saturday evening's clash between Newcaslte and Brighton could also be one to watch. There are two more all-Premier League clashes this weekend between Bolton and Swansea and West Brom and Norwich.

Possible upsetsStoke face a tough trip to Pride Park to take on Midlands rivals Derby, who have nothing to lose and could spring a surprise. Crawley Town of League Two, who beat Championship side Bristol City in the last round take on Hull and will fancy their chances. Madcap Swindon manager Paolo di Canio will also be bullish about the chances of the Robins shocking Leicester at the Walkers Stadium. ·