1) How many white flags will be waved at St James' Park?

It may be more than 17 years since the first of those unforgettable 4-3 scorelines between these teams but this remains one of the favourite fixtures of the nation's television companies. It is more than five years since the last untelevised match between Liverpool and Newcastle – Liverpool's 3-0 home win in March 2008 – and the cameras will be rolled out again on Saturday. The temptation is obvious – not only have the teams not contested a goalless draw since February 1974 but the memory is fresh of Liverpool's 6-0 trouncing of their hosts on their last visit here in April. Philippe Coutinho was outstanding then; this time he is just out, still suffering from a shoulder injury. Before the match a group of Newcastle fans are organising a protest march against Mike Ashley's handling of the club. The Time 4 Change march, and a hankie-waving follow-up, has been called "to make a point in front of the cameras and the watching millions". "We are calling for fans to take to the match white handkerchiefs (even serviettes/paper will do)," they say, "and upon the teams entering the pitch prior to kick-off, waving them in the air to signal we are 'calling time' on the Ashley regime." It has been hard to tell if their opinion is widely shared by Newcastle fans but shortly before kick-off it will become perfectly clear. SB

2) Rising to the Townsend challenge

You know things are going well for a team when they emerge from the international break stronger rather than weaker. Not only have Mesut Özil and Aaron Ramsey recovered from the knocks they received while playing for their countries but Arsenal could welcome back Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott from month-long absences. That is unfortunate timing for Norwich, as Cazorla and Walcott will be eager to take any chance to stake their claim for a regular place in an Arsenal side around which excitement is building, especially before a Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund and, indeed, a few days after Andros Townsend put a huge question mark over Walcott's worth at the World Cup. PD

3) Poyet's Premier moment

There is no doubt who will be the focus of attention at Swansea on Saturday, as Gus Poyet steps out for the first time as a Premier League manager. "I hope I can show I can do it at this level," he says, adding that "we will go there to win". They will do so with the benefit of one-man goal-mountain Steve Fletcher, unexpectedly fit after a shoulder injury. Something has to give in this fixture, between the team with the second-worst home record and the team with the second-worst results away. When Sunderland last won here, it was a month shy of 50 years ago and the hosts were still known as Swansea Town but Swansea have not taken three points at home for seven months and Poyet will be hoping to extend their wait for a win. SB

4) John Terry's World Cup influence

Is John Terry still a problem for England? The international retiree has played every minute of Chelsea's Premier League season and played well, justifying José Mourinho's faith in him and forcing Gary Cahill to alternate with David Luiz for a starting place. Should Roy Hodgson be happy for that to continue, starting with another excellent Terry display against Cardiff this weekend? After all, Cahill is currently a first-choice defender for England and, if he plays only every second game, then there is less likelihood of him arriving at the World Cup drained from a long domestic campaign. So, perhaps with his fine form, the former captain is doing England a service. Mind you, by that logic he is also helping out David Luiz's Brazil, the treacherous cur. PD

5) Saints hope for a humbling

Before Southampton's visit to Old Trafford one of the two managers was moved to tell journalists that his side would "be confident but not complacent". The astonishing thing was that the manager speaking was Mauricio Pochettino. The quote says much about the suddenly diminished standing of a Fergieless United, and the rapidly rising ambitions of the improving Saints. For a neutral, given the lack of flux at the top of the table during recent Premier League seasons, there is something thrilling about even contemplating the possibility of United being outfootballed at home by Southampton, even if there must be a good chance it will never come to pass. Southampton have memorably embarrassed United before, in the game of the grey shirts in 1996 and Massimo Taibi's humiliation three years later, but both those seasons ended with United celebrating the league title. Should they win at Old Trafford this weekend, for the first time in a quarter of a century, it might be the most harmful humbling of all. SB

6) Vertonghen will have his hands full

This game could give an answer to several intriguing questions, including: will Nicklas Helenius wear braces to foil another debagging by Jan Vertonghen and how will Tottenham respond to getting their bottoms spanked by West Ham? André Villas-Boas's side were frustrated by Sam Allardicci's ploy of flooding midfield but Aston Villa do not have the players or instincts to play that way as effectively as West Ham, so their chances of adding to Spurs' woe will probably depend on the fitness of Christian Benteke. The Belgian was on the bench for his country's draw with Wales in midweek and could be ready to make a comeback for his club. Can't see Vertonghen getting away with pulling down Benteke's shorts. PD

7) What next for Ravel Morrison?

The Hammers have won only one of the last 14 against Manchester City in all competitions but they come into the game on the back of a stunning 3-0 win over Tottenham, and with perhaps the most talked-about player in the country in Ravel Morrison. The 20-year-old's solo goal against Spurs prompted an England Under-21 debut and much chatter about a possible place in the World Cup squad. "It's a little early to tell" is Allardyce's latest assessment on that front, "but I think if he continues to be a regular player with our first team, then I can't see any reason why he wouldn't get noticed and maybe be pushing that way." City might have been many people's title pick but there's much to encourage Morrison: Manuel Pellegrini's side have an abysmal away record this season, with two defeats and an undeserved draw at Stoke giving them a points tally that only Crystal Palace, with their 0% record from four games, could possibly envy. Aside of issues of local pride there is little point in brilliantly beating Manchester United at home if you then lose at Cardiff and Aston Villa, and they are likely again to be without Vincent Kompany – since the Belgian's debut they have won 58% of the games he has played and 46% of those he has missed. SB

8) An intriguing Irish duel

There is no more exciting pair of full-backs in the Premier League at the moment than Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman and they will need to attack with their usual fervour against a Hull side who have not conceded a goal in more than 300 minutes of play. They will also need to be on their guard at the back, as Steve Bruce's side attack mainly down the flanks and look set to be boosted by the return of Robbie Brady, who is recovering more quickly than expected from a hernia operation. The Irishman's defensive and creative work all along the left flank has been hugely important to Hull this season and his duel with his compatriot Coleman will be fascinating. PD

9) Palace hell-bent on revenge

With one win and no draws from their first seven league games, Crystal Palace have found their return to the Premier League extremely uncomfortable. This, though, is a key game, at home to another struggling side in Fulham, and the last time they had one of those – the visit of Sunderland in August – they won. The involvement of Darren Bent could make life interesting, given that many at Selhurst Park were convinced he would be signing for them in August, before he diverted to Craven Cottage at the last moment. "They've stepped in, taken our deal," complained Ian Holloway at the time. "I was told Wednesday night he was coming to us. I was told this morning he was coming to us. It's life. Fulham are bigger sharks than us. Our chairman's going to have to get used to that." Monday will represent's Palace's opportunity to prove that even against bigger sharks they retain a decent bite. SB

10) West Brom's sought-after striker

Saido Berahino scored another two goals for England U-21s during the week, taking his tally for the season to nine, including four in two Capital One Cup games and a peach at Old Trafford. The 20-year-old's reputation is soaring and the question now, of course, is: can he do it on a wet afternoon in Stoke? Provide a positive answer on Saturday and the player who currently earns a pittance in footballing terms – £850 per week through a contract that expires in less than a year – will probably get an even better offer from West Bromwich Albion, who are trying to persuade him to sign a new deal before even bigger clubs come calling. PD