For some it is the return to of Champions League football to St James’ Park for the first time in 20 years but for others it the ultimate Middle East geopolitical derby.
For romantics, it is Newcastle United taking on Paris St-Germain, Kylian Mbappe against Bruno Guimaraes.
But for those immersed in realpolitik, it is Saudi Arabia v Qatar, a rivalry that needs no stoking given that the larger of those Arabian kingdoms spent the best part of four years trying to grind Qatar into submission, cutting off diplomatic and trade relations.