Gameweek 10 begins at St James’ Park for a fixture that, a few weeks back, would have looked decidedly one-sided. Today, however, Newcastle host Liverpool off the back of two unlikely away wins at Spurs and Man City, while the visitors limp to the North East nursing indifferent form and fragile confidence.

Bizarrely, the match will be compelling viewing for all the wrong reasons. Many will want an uneventful encounter, with little or no contribution from Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling. Having suffered heavy sales going into today’s Fantasy Premier League deadline, the 19-year-old will undoubtedly provide the biggest threat to a Magpies rearguard that, despite recent form, has failed to convince. Sterling is without a goal in his last four outings and many Fantasy managers will be hoping that run is extended further, watching today’s match from behind the sofa.

The early kick-off is followed by six three o-clock encounters: sadly, we’re without a tea-time clash to see us into Strictly this evening.