Winter champions can chill come May

Manchester United have stepped into the coldest season as leaders of the Premier League.

In the last decade only three teams were 'crowned' winter champions and went on to claim the Premiership title in that same season.

Last Sunday Manchester United started the day leading second-placed Chelsea by five points. But then the Blues went on to beat Everton 3-2, after hitting back from 0-1 and 1-2 down, while the Mancunians lost their first away game of the season at West Ham.

In midweek Chelsea emerged victorious 1-0 at Newcastle to reach the last four of the League Cup.

This afternoon, United and Chelsea will both be on their travels. Alex Ferguson's XI play at Aston Villa and Jose Mourinho's side at Wigan.

Manchester United, now only two points clear of their rivals, remain defiant after their second setback of the season, coming after a run of 12 matches undefeated.

Ferguson, having branded Chelsea lucky, has welcomed Henrik Larsson (ex-Barcelona, Celtic) to training this week even if he still has to sign on January 1.

Villa appear to have lost their rhythm, having failed to win in their last six league outings.

Mourinho remarked that his team had not been firing on all cylinders and regular players are still on the sidelines through injuries.

Wigan have lost three straight league games at the JJB Stadium without scoring a goal.

Reina to stay

Liverpool vs Watford. The Reds' League Cup quarter-final tie at home to Arsenal was postponed on Tuesday due to fog. It will now be played on January 9.

In the Premiership Rafael Benitez's boys have become one of the most consistent sides at present, having gone six matches undefeated, including four wins, and produced six clean sheets.

Pepe Reina was linked with a transfer to Valencia but the goalkeeper said he was happy to stay at Anfield.

Bottom club Watford have only three draws to show on the away front.

Arsenal vs Blackburn. After finding it hard to buy any British players and opted for an almost cosmopolitan squad, Arsenal have now banned national flags from their stadium.

Thierry Henry is expected to return in the first week of January for the third round of the FA Cup.

For the first time in his career Wenger was sent to the stands last Saturday, days after he was fined for his touchline bust-up with former West Ham boss Alan Pardew.

Rovers lost their last three league games at Arsenal's lair without scoring a goal.

Newcastle vs Tottenham. The duo's leading front men, Obafemi Martins and Dimitar Berbatov, have been in excellent form lately, scoring nine goals between them this month.

The latest sparkle from both sides can produce a cracker of a match.

Matt Jarvis, Gillingham's flying winger, has caught Martin Jol's eye and a good number of other Premiership managers.

Both sides were involved in the last eight of the League Cup in midweek. Newcastle went down to Chelsea while Tottenham beat Southend 1-0 in extra time.

Manchester City vs Bolton. Bolton forward Nicolas Anelka will be all out to put one over one of his former clubs.During his time City were under the guidance of Kevin Keegan.

In the pre-season transfers City and Bolton where involved in a tug-of-war for the signing of Dietmar Hamann from Liverpool.

City, having held the upper hand, will probably include the German who had to go through a bad spell of injuries since his move.

The Citizens suffered their first home league defeat of the season in the 1-2 loss to Tottenham.

Portsmouth vs Sheff. Utd. This match involves a keen duel between two fine managers - Harry Redknapp and Neil Warnock.

These two sides have caused havoc when least expected this season as happened last week in Pompey's draw at Arsenal and the Blades' win at Wigan. This will be their first tussle in the Premiership.

In 2002-03 when they met in the Championship, United held the upperhand with a 2-1 win at Fratton Park and a 1-1 draw at their own Bramall Lane.

Reading vs Everton. The Royals have gathered only one point from their last three league games.

Manager Steve Coppell is not worried though and remarked that a foreign take-over would not harm Reading.

Everton could still not figure it out how they lost all points against Chelsea when they were twice in front.

David Moyes has been irate that Jose Mourinho said Andy Johnson had 'dived' to get a penalty. Later the Portuguese coach apologised for his comments.

Fulham vs West Ham. After all the suffering since the takeover talk and the dismissal of manager Alan Pardew, West Ham succeeded in beating Manchester United at Upton Park on Alan Curbishley's debut.

Chairman Eggert Magnusson has told Curbishley that he would be given time and money to turn things around.

Fulham's 2-1 victory at Craven Cottage against Middlesbrough saw them jumping to 11th place.

On the four occasions the sides met at Fulham, West Ham did not lose: 1-2, 0-0, 0-1, 0-1. In fact, Fulham's last home league win over the Hammers came in 1966-67 in Division One (4-2).

Middlesbrough-Charlton. Boro lost at Fulham on Monday and have now won only one Premiership encounter in nine matches.

There was more dejection for Charlton as they were humbled by lowly Wycombe in the League Cup, winning 1-0 at the Valley.

That was a loss that surely would not boost their confidence for the forthcoming league games in their bid to emerge out of the relegation zone.