Speculation and snow add spice to Premiership

By Vic Mills

LONDON (JP): Speculation and snowfalls feature high in this week's Premiership preview. An unusual combination, but one that nevertheless looks set to make this a difficult weekend for a host of players in the English game.

Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson has spent much of the week persuading his Brazilian stars, Juninho and Emerson (Branco having already departed) to stay at the club. Juninho is believed to be a target of Milanese clubs, while Barcelona has Emerson at the top of its shopping list.

Player morale on Teeside has not been helped by rumors that Manchester United is set to mount a 10-million bid to secure the services of Fabrizio Ravanelli.

There is a possibility, too, that ex-United hard man, Paul Ince, may soon be on his way back to Old Trafford. The midfielder is said to be keen on a return to England.

Why anyone would want to return to either Blackburn or Manchester at the moment, as much of the north of England is blanketed in snow, is something of a mystery. The unusually early snowfalls are likely to make pitches heavy and conditions decidedly tricky for the weekend program.

The sudden drop in temperature has already hit one foreign import. Newcastle United's Faustino Asprilla sported a pair of black gloves in Tuesday's one-all UEFA Cup draw in France against FC Metz.

Others are likely to follow with the windchill factor adding to the frosty outlook. The outlook looks set to remain on Teeside for the visit of Manchester United.

Considering both clubs are keen to sign Paul Ince and United's interest in Ravanelli, the prematch managerial handshake will not be something to linger over.

After a promising start to the season, Middlesborough's form has fallen away dramatically in recent weeks. The uncertain future of the Brazilian pair has cast a cloud over the early season hope and enthusiasm.

Manchester United, victorious Saturday over Arsenal, were again found wanting in the Champions Cup Wednesday evening and so will be looking for something better against the Teeside team.

Passion

But for all the likely passion there, it is London that stages the match of the weekend as Chelsea entertains Newcastle United.

The loss of Les Ferdinand, out for four weeks following a fractured cheekbone against West Ham is likely to be eased by the return of Alan Shearer. The only question for manager Kevin Keegan is whether to start with the 15-million man or use him as a substitute.

A capacity crowd is expected for the home debut of Chelsea's latest Italian signing, Gianfranco Zola. His sniping forward runs and the invention of countrymen Vialli and Di Matteo could spell another anxious afternoon for the Newcastle defense.

Title aspirant Liverpool failed narrowly to wrest the leadership from Newcastle in mid-week when they only could manage a 1-1 draw against city neighbor Everton. A late equalizer from Gary Speed canceled out a first-half Robbie Fowler goal.

Closing the one point cp on Newcastle will not be easy on Saturday for Roy Evans team as it hosts fourth-placed Wimbledon. All muscle and motivation, the Dons arrive on the back of a ten- game unbeaten run.

With rumor and speculation fast eclipsing the football this week, the word from Merseyside is that Stan Collymore is set to remain a Liverpool player, at least for the foreseeable future.

Aston Villa no longer have need of another forward (or the surplus cash to buy one) after Savo Milosevic pulled out of a proposed move to Italy, preferring to stay in the Midlands. Club and player will look for an early confirmation of allegiance as Villa travel to struggling Coventry tomorrow.

This weekend's Sunday match is the North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Unlucky to lose against Manchester United, Arsenal will look to renew its title challenge before another full house. With continuity a Highbury trait, Arsene Wenger is set to name an unchanged side.

Eighth in the Premiership, Tottenham's early season injury worries have all but disappeared; the return of Darren Anderton leaving it close to full strength. But rumblings of discontent continue on the terraces at the lack of investment in new players.

In a fascinating weekend of matches, the drama is no less gripping at the foot of the table. Indeed, nerves will be stretched to the limit at Nottingham where bottom club Forest entertains fellow struggler Blackburn Rovers.

A heavy pitch and freezing temperatures will be the least of their worries however as both sides will be chasing highly prized points to relieve the pressure.

A similar situation exists on the south coast where Southampton and Leeds United, just five points off the bottom, meet at the Dell. home team ambition was put to flight last Saturday as it conceded seven at Everton. Leeds too were handed a lesson in Premiership life with a home defeat against Liverpool.