Image source, @mb459

You can always rely on Liverpool's summer signing Mario Balotelli for entertainment. He's been warming up for Liverpool v Everton, which kicks-off at 12: 45 BST, in his own inimitable style.

You can watch his latest antics over on the Italian's Instagram page,, external where he's uploaded a video of himself singing his support of the Reds under the influence of helium...

It's not only in England that this is a derby weekend. In Italy, it's Genoa v Sampdoria this Sunday.

Over to BBC World Service's Steve Crossman, who is in Genoa for the game: "Some derbies are about class division, financial division or religious or political differences. Sometimes it's jealousy of success or a huge gulf in finances… but not in Genoa.

"The Derby Della Lanterna (Lighthouse Derby) is about purity. My tour guide at Genoa's museum tells me that 'Genoa fans have a superiority complex'.

"He brilliantly describes Sampdoria as being 'condemned to succeed,' Why? Because Genoa fans think of their club as being pure, it is the oldest in Italian football. Sampdoria are accused of being mongrels, the result of a final merger between clubs that had combined several times previously.

"Genoa believe their rivals are hell bent on success and success alone. Club secretary Federico Valdambrini does little to dissuade that by turning up for our interview holding a fact sheet of Samp's derby wins. Genoa are the passionate pulse of this city and Sampdoria are a no less committed head. The battle to win hearts and minds arrives on Sunday night."

We are asking for your derby day memories ahead of the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton and the north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham later today.

Kev:, external My first derby was incredible... Gary McAllister with the winner to make it 3-2. I celebrated madly, and I was with Everton fans!

Georgio:, external City 6 United 1 at Old Trafford. We're still singing about it every week.

Jack Grant:, external Gary Cahill's bicycle kick for Villa against Blues in front of the Holte End takes some beating!

Image source, Getty Images

The most recent league derby between Arsenal and Tottenham at the Emirates wasn't the goal fest this game can usually be as it was settled by the solitary goal.

France forward Olivier Giroud was the man to get the vital goal as he enamoured himself with the Gunners faithful. Can Danny Welbeck do the same?

Arsenal also won 2-0 in their back yard when they played Spurs in the FA Cup last season.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool v Everton is not the only derby in Premier League town so let's have a little look at the north London match-up between Arsenal and Tottenham.

The last time Spurs won at the home of their local rivals was 20 November, 2010 when the boys from White Hart Lane came back from 2-0 down to claim a famous 3-2 victory. What a game.

Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh put the Gunners ahead but a certain Gareth Bale scored, along with Rafael Van Der Vaart and Younes Kaboul, to earn Tottenham three points.

Those might be happy memories for the Spurs faithful but on the flip side it was the only time they have won at Arsenal in 25 matches in all competitions since May 1993.

We are asking for your derby day memories ahead of the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton and the north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham later today.

Sam Heaton:, external My favourite derby memory was James McArthur scoring the winner away at Bolton for Wigan in front of 2,500 supporters.

Andy McNamara:, external My favourite derby day memory was Big Dunc's first goal in Joe Royle's first derby as manager. We tackled everything that day.

Jay Heaton:, external Man United v Man City when Ryan Giggs scored his first goal (In May 1991). Local club charged us £3.50 including travel from Pontefract!

Get involved using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, 81111 on text (UK only), or via the BBC Sport Facebook page, external and Google+ pages., external

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport

"It's been an overcast morning in Liverpool ahead of the 223rd Merseyside derby but the sun is just starting to break through above Stanley Park and the Reds will hope the patches of blue sky appearing overhead are not an omen for which colour will end up on top at Anfield today.

"To continue the weather theme, both sides have had a few clouds over their respective starts to the new campaign, especially in terms of their defending.

"Last time they met, here at Anfield at the end of January, they were a point apart in the top six and looking to maintain their impressive form. This time, the margin is the same but both are in the bottom half and seeking a springboard to get their seasons up and running. A derby win would definitely provide that, whoever gets it."

We are asking for your derby day memories ahead of the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton and the north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham later today.

Tim Boe:, external Standing in the Park End as a kid, watching Ian Rush rip Everton apart, 5-0 to the Reds, then seeing myself on MOTD. It's also derby day here in Stockholm today, as English expat team Langholmen, take on Reimersholme.

Kevin Prescott:, external Graeme Sharp's wonder goal, by far the best derby goal ever scored. COYB!

Pelesinho Lehwelere:, external The night Captain Steven George Gerrard scored a hat-trick against Everton. Gerrard 3-0 Everton.

Let's get back to derby day and, if you were wondering where you could get some facts on British derbies (and even if you weren't), look no further than this lovely graphic. Nice, even if I do say so myself.

Image source, Getty Images

Four years ago Leicester striker Jamie Vardy was playing in the seventh tier of English football but last Sunday he was helping tear Manchester United apart as the Foxes beat the Red Devils 5-3.

He'll be in action at Crystal Palace today and here's a look at the rags to riches story of the former Stocksbridge Park Steels hitman:

2010-11: He was playing for FC Halifax Town in the Evo-Stik League Northern Premier division, which is the seventh tier of English football. He helped the club finish top and earn promotion to the Football Conference.

2011-12: Vardy moved on to Fleetwood Town and on 20 September 2011 was sent-off in a 5-2 win over Kidderminster in their Conference game. But he scored 34 goals in 40 games goals as the Cod Army were promoted as champions into the Football League for the first time.

2012-13: Championship club Leicester win the race for his signature but struggled with just five goals in the season.

2013-14: Vardy had a better second season at the King Power Stadium as he scored 16 league goals to help the club to the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League.

2014-15: Scores in a 5-3 win over Manchester United.

We are asking for your derby day memories ahead of the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton and the north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham later today.

Martin Jones:, external First derby? Went up to Liverpool on a supporters' coach from a South West uni, around seven hours, sat in Kop for 20 minutes, drove seven hours back. Waterlogged.

Dangermousein:, external Sitting with Arsenal directors and beating them 3-2 at the death after being behind. I couldn't celebrate but still a great moment.

Get involved using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, 81111 on text (UK only), or via the BBC Sport Facebook page, external and Google+ pages., external

A certain golf clash might be dominating the back pages but, as usual, there is plenty of football news also doing the rounds. here's a quick round-up.

Robin van Persie revealed that Manchester United held a long inquest into last weekend's 5-3 collapse against Leicester. He said: "It was a confrontational meeting, but it was a very good meeting where everyone spoke up and showed their feelings." (Daily Mirror)

But Wayne Rooney has been calling his own impromptu meetings among the players to try and kick-start their season. (Sun - subscription required), external

Kenny Dalglish says Everton's 15-year Anfield hoodoo is not psychological. In his Daily Mirror column,, external the Liverpool legend said: "It is just down to Everton not being good enough in those particular fixtures to get a result. I think it will be the same as usual on derby day."

Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock will be judging today's opponents Leicester on how they beat Stoke 1-0 - rather than their 5-3 victory over Manchester United. "That's more realistic, I think," Warnock said. (Sun - subscription required), external

Mauricio Pochettino says he might lie on the floor of the Spurs team bus on its way into the Emirates today, having dodged flying glass at a Newell's Old Boys v Rosario derby in Argentina: "Will I be lying down again when we go to the Emirates? I would like to. It is my habit, it is not strange for me. Yes, I enjoy the danger of derbies - I'm stronger in a hostile situation, I like it." (Daily Mirror), external

Image source, @jesanchez3

Liverpool defender Jose Enrique:, external "Having a walk with the lads before the game today. Can't wait for the derby!"

Image source, Getty Images

It's not a derby rivalry but Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and his Manchester City counterpart Manuel Pellegrini just cannot resist having a dig at each other.

The normally genial Pellegrini rarely says anything controversial but it seems if there's one person that can get his blood boiling it's the Portuguese. After City and Chelsea drew 1-1 last Sunday, the Chilean accused Chelsea of playing like a "small team" and compared them to Stoke. Ouch (the small team part not the Stoke part for you Potters fans)

Mourinho, in his response, referred to Pellegrini as Pellegrino. Childish but amusing. Both their sides will be action at 15:00 BST today with Chelsea hosting Aston Villa and City making the trip to Hull.

Of course, it's not just about the two big top-flight derbies today as there is plenty more going on in the Premier League. Here's a look at Saturday's line-up. (Kick-off 15:00 BST unless stated)

Liverpool v Everton (12:45 BST)

Chelsea v Aston Villa

Crystal Palace v Leicester

Hull v Man City

Man Utd v West Ham

Southampton v QPR

Sunderland v Swansea

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur (17:30 BST)

The Daily Express, external has Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger saying Tottenham will struggle is they fail to move to a new stadium and increase their capacity.

"You cannot be in a business where you turn down 15,000 or 20,000 people every week," says Wenger.

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers and Everton counterpart Roberto Martinez have vowed to continue with their attacking tactics, despite both enduring a slow start to the season.

Speaking of the FA Cup, it's second qualifying round weekend. Winners today only need another two victories to reach round one.

Former England winger Trevor Sinclair could play for Lancaster City at the age of 41. He retired six years ago and is assistant manager at the Lancashire side.

FC Romania, a side mostly of immigrants from the country, aim to upset famous FA Cup giant-killers Sutton United.

And Salford City are also in action. Co-owner Phil Neville has been chatting to Football Focus about his new club.

BBC Sport is looking back at an iconic FA Cup goal a day ahead of the first round proper, which kicks off in November (there will be 50 in total). So far we have revealed eight and you have the chance right now to vote on the greatest one on this very page. (Polls close at noon, and we will bring you the results soon after)

Lucky you if you're in the UK - you can watch all eight clips on the BBC Sport website to decide on your answer before voting.

1. Steven Gerrard's last-gasp screamer

2. Trevor Sinclair's bicycle kick

3. Trevor Brooking's winning header

4. Crazy Gang beat Culture Club

5. Shrewsbury Town shock Everton

6. Stuart Pearce's free-kick

7. Tim Cahill makes his mark

8. Rush wins cup for Liverpool

We are asking for your derby day memories ahead of the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton and the north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham later today.

Alando Clemz:, external Thierry Henry showing class and individual brilliance to dance through the Spurs defence and win the match for the Gunners.

Get involved using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, 81111 on text (UK only), or via the BBC Sport Facebook page, external and Google+ pages., external

Image source, Reuters

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew was not too happy with BBC Sport pundit Robbie Savage's assertion that he "sounded like a broken man" following his side's 4-0 drubbing by Southampton.

Pardew let his feelings be known after the Magpies came back from 2-0 down to draw with Hull last week and now Robbie has had his say.

"I was surprised he picked me out to respond to, because I had heard a lot of people saying a very similar thing, but the important thing was the way that Pardew showed I was wrong about him," says Savage.

"He did not do that by criticising my comments, he did it with the way he came out fighting for his job in their draw with Hull last weekend.

"Afterwards, his voice was full of passion and energy, which was great to hear. Last week I also wrote that it was hard to see him surviving in his job for much longer - I would be delighted if he proved me wrong about that too."