Wednesday will be a big day for a number of young hopefuls at Old Trafford, as Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is set to field a raw side for their Carling Cup quarter-final with Crystal Palace (United 2/9, draw 5/1, Palace 12/1 in the match betting).

Champions League action returns this week and with the group stages reaching a climax, the top two clubs in England will be looking to confirm their places in the knockout stages on Tuesday.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has given his backing to earlier kick offs for his La Liga-chasing outfit as the Bernabeu faithful prepare to set their alarm clocks for a midday match against Osasuna this Sunday.

For those of us who prefer a Saturday morning lie-in the early Premier League kick-off between Newcastle and Everton might be too early, but there are still five traditional 3pm games which promise fireworks.

Neither Manchester City or Manchester United have exactly been firing on all cylinders in the Champions League so far this season and both clubs will have one eye on the other games in their respective groups on Wednesday, as they chase qualification for the knock-out phase.

The Champions League group stages have now reached match-day four and both Manchester clubs are in action on Wednesday as they seek to secure a spot in the knock-out stages of Europe’s elite club competition (Champions League match-day four).

There was no Europa League action on Thursday which means a full Premier League programme on Saturday to get stuck into with some intriguing matches lined up, not least the opener of the day when Everton host Manchester United.

The Carling Cup last-16 games get underway with four matches taking place on Tuesday evening with the pick being League Two Aldershot attempting to heap more misery on Manchester United just two days after their 6-1 Old Trafford thumping against Manchester City.

It has been described as the most eagerly anticipated Manchester derby for many years, with the top two in the Premier League going head-to-head with both sides undefeated so far in the league.

The battle to be the top dogs in not just England but Manchester itself comes to a head at Old Trafford on Sunday lunch-time as the Premier League top two clashes in the biggest game of the season so far (United 21/20, City 11/4, draw 12/5 – Match Betting).