Big Match - Big Fight Previews

There is a great weekend of sport in prospect and it begins today with the highly anticipated match up between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford this lunchtime.

The game has an added bit of flavour this year given that the Merseyside Reds have beaten United already in the league. Although, at Old Trafford it is likely to be a different story.

Rafael Benitez's war of words has backfired this season, after his infamous list of things he despised about Sir Alex Ferguson and his United team, Liverpool's title challenge fell apart at the seams and United went on an amazing unbeaten run in the league which is still standing. This has left a Keegan-esque feeling reverbarating around Anfield and perhaps many fans just wish Benitez had kept his mouth shut.

But this has not deterred Benitez from firing verbal warnings again to Ferguson. Saying that United are not untouchable and that he believes his Liverpool team can still win the title.

This must all be music to Sir Alex's ears though and as usual he has the psychological upperhand on one of his rivals managers. The more Benitez talks the more Liverpool seem to fail but in fairness to him it makes for great press coverage.

It is hard to see past United today, their formidable form has seen them become real quadruple contenders and again Liverpool's best chance of winning anything appears to be in Europe.

Prediciton Manchester United to win 2-0

On to the big fight now...

Amir Khan tonight is looking to become the number one contender for the WBO crown. In his way is legendary Mexican fighter Marco Antonio Barrera. Barrera is an undoubted talent who has won world title fights at three different weights, a remarkable achievement in a sport where weight is everything.

It is perhaps surprising to see Khan put into such a tough fight so early on in his career. Although Khan at 22 is 13 years younger than Barrera, at 35 Barrera is still a world-class talent.

Khan was given easy fights for a while but now it seems the time has come for Khan to really step it up and show his class. Khan probably would not have been given such a tough fight had he not lost in 54 seconds to relative unknown boxer Colombia's Breidis Prescott. That defeat has put some serious doubt into the minds of his backers and his apparent glass jaw was there for all to see, something that is a worry for any boxer and not something that can be easily fixed. Khan has probably been given this fight to show that he truly is world-class and that defeat was a 'fluke' occurance.

Khan looks to have bounced back positively from this defeat and is in better physical shape than ever. Whether the defeat will have taken a huge mental toll we are yet to see but one thing is for sure we will probably find out tonight. Khan will have to start fast and make sure he does not take any brutal punches if he is to win tonight.

Although the bookies have Khan as a slight favourite it is hard to oppose such a warrior as Barrera. Whatever happens it is sure to be a great fight and well worth watching.

Just a quick word for our British hero Andy Murray he is back in action this week in Indian Wells, although he has been blighted with injuries he can win this tournament on his favoured hard court surface.