David Oliver, Asafa Powell, Carmelita Jeter: Top Events to watch at Diamond League London

Crystal Palace will be oozing with track and field excitement this week-end as the Aviva London Grand Prix gets underway this Friday. It's the 12th stop in the Samsung Diamond League series and the meet boasts an impressive line up of international stars. Britain's top athletes will also be on display: European 10,000m champion Mo Farrah, triple jumper Phillips Idowu and 400m Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu are all down to compete in their respective events. Here are my top picks:

Men's 110 Hurdles: This contest is being billed as a "David Oliver-Dayron Robles Showdown". The last time the two met in Paris, Robles got the better of Oliver in a spell-binding finish that saw both men clock 13.09 seconds. Oliver also has to be concerned about young American Jason Richardson, who dealt him an unexpected loss in Stockholm. Jamaica's Dwight Thomas, still mourning the loss of his father, is also in the line up.

Men's 100m: 2011's fastest man, Asafa Powell is the headliner for Friday's race. Following a spate of impressive performances, Powell continues to put pressure on world and olympic champion Usain Bolt. Fresh off his 9.86 win in Budapest, Powell will face a fast improving Nesta Carter who almost beat Bolt to the line in Stockholm. Jamaica's young sprinter Yohan Blake will also be in action, so too USA's Michael Rodgers, Antigua's Daniel Bailey and olympic silver medalist Richard Thompson.

Men's 400m: Olympic 400m Hurdles champion Angelo Taylor laces up for what promises to be a delightful race. Although mostly known for his hurdling prowess Taylor has had very competitive showings in the quarter mile. He's up against 2010 Diamond League winner Jermaine Gonzales, now rounding into form after a disappointing 4th place finish at the Jamaica trials. Stiff competition will come from Great Britain's national champion Martyn Rooney, Bahamian Chris Brown and Grenada's Rondell Bartholmew who has the world leading time of 44.65.

Women's 100m: Reigning world and olympic champion Shelly-ann Fraser Pryce returns to Diamond League action after being sidelined by injury for a few weeks. Pryce who's announced her return to top form via twitter will seek to improve on her season's best of 10.95. The diminutive sprinter will need to do better than that to top world leader Carmelita Jeter who looks virtually unstoppable. Watch out for Trinidad and Tobago's dynamite Kelly-Ann Baptiste and Russia's Ivet Lalova who are both in excellent form.

Women's 100m Hurdles: World number one Sally Pearson and USA's Danielle Carruthers will renew their rivalry in the obstacle sprint this weekend. The event showcases a strong field featuring British record holder Tiffany Ofili-Porter and Canada's Phylicia George. Watch for USA's Virginia Crawford, with a personal best of 12.45, she is definitely a contender.