1. Coleman vs Lyles
In Christian Coleman and Noah Lyles, Eugene will see two of the USA’s most exciting young sprinting stars go head to head over 200m.
22-year-old Coleman will be making his much anticipated IAAF Diamond League debut after making quite a name for himself with success at both the outdoor and indoor IAAF World Championships in the last nine months.
He will be looking to challenge Lyles, who currently leads the 200m standings after victory in Doha. Diamond Trophy holder Lyles has never lost a race in the Diamond League, but will face a tall order to maintain that streak in Eugene. The 20-year-old is doubling up, and will not only face Coleman in the 200m, but also Justin Gatlin in the 100m.
2. Fearsome 400m field
Eugene will fire the starting gun on the women’s 400m Road To The Final, and with points up for grabs for the first time this season, all the big guns are turning up.
World Champion Phyllis Francis will be joined by Diamond Trophy holder Shaunae-Miller Uibo, who is in fine form after getting her 200m campaign off to a winning start in Shanghai earlier this month.
The pair will be up against the likes of World Indoor champion Courtney Okolo and 400m legend Allyson Felix, with 2016 Diamond Trophy winner Stephenie Ann-McPherson completing a jaw-dropping field.
With so many title contenders competing at once, it will be more than just eight points at stake in Eugene: the winner will also have made a serious statement of intent.
3. Shot put heavyweights
The Road To The Final will also get underway in the men’s shot put on Saturday, and as in the 400m, Eugene will see the very biggest names do battle.
Olympic champion and world champion Ryan Crouser and Tom Walsh missed out on the Diamond Trophy last season, when Darrell Hill shocked everyone to win with a personal best in Brussels and claim the title.
Both will be keen to make amends this season, but Hill will not be the only one standing in their way. 2015 Diamond Trophy winner Joe Kovacs also launches his campaign in Eugene, while David Storl is enjoying some of his best form since he challenged Kovacs for the title three years ago.
4. Morris vs Stefanidi
In recent years, it has always threatened to be one of the biggest battles in the women’s pole vault, but thus far, Katerina Stefanidi has maintained the upper hand over US rival Sandi Morris.
The Greek star has claimed Olympic and World Championship gold in the last two years, as well as winning back-to-back Diamond Trophies.
Morris, though, has always stayed just about in her sights, clearing the five metre mark for the first time in Brussels in 2016. After victory in Doha, she may feel that 2018 is her year. The win puts her top of the standings, three points ahead of Stefanidi, and with home advantage in Eugene, she has the chance to build a considerable lead this weekend.
5. Semenya kicks off 800m
Caster Semenya made headlines in Doha as she stormed to victory in the 1500m, setting a national record as she did so.
Having won the Diamond Trophy over 800m in both of the last two seasons, the South African is chasing a title double this year, and will be hoping to get her 800m campaign off to a similarly good start.
In this event, too, Eugene will be the first opportunity for athletes to pick up points as they look to challenge Semenya and book their place in the IAAF Diamond League Final.