The sporting week ahead (28/10/12)

Today

Known as the "friendly derby" in the stands, but far from friendly on the pitch, Liverpool travel across Stanley Park to take on Everton in a match that has yielded more red cards than any other Premier League fixture, with 20 in all. So spare a though for today's whistle-blower, Andre Marriner. Later on, Manchester United meet the leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, where they haven't won in the league for 10 years, while Tottenham will be expected to pepper the Southampton goal at St Mary's.

Tomorrow

Can Sheffield United continue their unbeaten start to the League One season against Portsmouth?

Tuesday

Capital One Cup fourth-round action, including Reading v Arsenal and a north-east derby between Sunderland and Middlesbrough.

Wednesday

Just three days on from their league meeting, Chelsea and Manchester United play each other again at Stamford Bridge, but this time it's a battle of the reserves, as the usual mix of youngsters and fringe players go at it in the Capital One Cup. Also, Brendan Rodgers meets his old team Swansea at Anfield in the competition.

Thursday

Boxing at Bethnal Green's York Hall, where Britain's only men's amateur world champion, Frankie Gavin, faces the biggest test of his 13-fight unbeaten professional career, when he attempts to win the British welterweight title from crafty veteran Junior "The Hitter" Witter, a former WBC title-holder.

Friday

Rooted to the foot of the Aviva Premiership table without a victory all season, Sale take on fellow strugglers London Irish. The Formula One road show rolls into Abu Dhabi for the first practice session at the Yas Marina circuit, a place which holds fond memories for last year's winner, Lewis Hamilton.

Saturday

The glorious battles of Vieira v Keane in midfield (and in the tunnel) are now a distant memory, but Manchester United against Arsenal should serve up a very tasty lunchtime encounter at Old Trafford. A repeat of last season's 8-2 is surely impossible, isn't it? United's summer signing Robin van Persie scored on that day and will be gunning to put one past his former paymasters here. He did miss a penalty in that match too, mind. On another return to a fateful scene, Wigan visit White Hart Lane, where they were on the wrong end of a 9-1 demolition three years ago. Elsewhere, the first chapter of this season's fairytale run is written with the first round (proper) of the FA Cup.