LONDON. Dec 3: , j Manchester Unit-- I ed’s bleary-eyed

; “ J world champions

: must shake off the

=——effects of their ex hausting midweek trip to Tokyo if they are to beat Everton and return to the summit of the English Premiership on Saturday, reports AFP.

United, who beat Palmeiras of Brazil in Tokyo on Tuesday to lift the Inter-Continental Cup. are currently two points behind Leeds United, who play Derby the following day.

The form book suggests a comfortable win for Sir Alex Ferguson's treble winners, but there are fears that United's demanding schedule in domestic. European and now world club competitions could start to blunt their edge.

With no major injury problems. jet-lag is United's main worry this weekend after the 24-hour round trip between Manchester and the Japanese capital through most of the world's time zones.

Pat Crerand. a veteran of United's European Cup winning side in 1968, believes United could pay for their Tokyo trip against Everton - and against Valencia in the crucial Champions League match next Wednesday.

All this travelling is going to have a big effect on the players. I think Im going to be knackered by it all ano I'm not even playing," said Crerand.

"When they get back they have the Everton game on the Saturday, and that's a big game, and then the Valencia match on the Wednesday, which is important also.

"I just think that this is one game they really could have done without."

United, who have a game in hand over Leeds, face an Everton side without a Premiership victory in seven games.

The lead at the top of the table could change hands three . times over the weekend.

Third-placed Arsenal could go top on goal difference if they beat Leicester on Saturday morning - four hours before United take the field and 24 before Leeds.

Arsenal have been in good form of late although the midweek League Cup defeat of their second-string side by Middlesbrough - albeit on penalties -will nave knocked their renewed confidence.

But Arsene Wenger’s side have certainlyrediscovered their goal touch'having found the net 12 times in their last four games, including a 5-1 win over Middlesbrough and a 2-1 win over Derby In the Premiership.

In other matches. Chelsea will be desperate for all three Soints when they travel to high-ying Premiership newcomers Sunderland.

Gianluca VlalH's side have seen their title challenge falter in recent weeks - their 1-0 win

over lowly Bradford last was their first league win in six outings.

They face a Sunderland side who have shown a dramatic imnprovement since their 4-0 drubbing at Chelsea on the opening day of the season. Last week's 3-2 win at Watford lifted them into fourth.

Aston Villa, who ended their free-fall down the table with last Saturday's goalless draw away to Everton, entertain Bobby Robson's steadily-improving Newcastle.

A victory for Newcastle, who have climbed out of the relegation zone after Robson arrived to replace Ruud Gullltt. would lift them above Villa on goal difference.

Sixth-placed Liverpool, whose recent resurgence was checked by a 1-0 defeat at West Ham last weekend, will be confident of taking all three points in Sunday 's home game against basement club Sheffield Wednesday.

Fixtures (matches kick off at 1500 GMT) unless stated otherwise):

Saturday: Aston Villa v Newcastle. Bradford v Middlesbrough. Leicester v Arsenal (k/o 1130), Manchester Utd v Everton. Southampton v Coventry, Sunderland v Chelsea. Wimbledon v Watford

Sunday: Derby v Leeds. Liv-er-pool v Sheffield Wednesday (k/o 1600)

Monday: Tottenham v West Ham (k/o 2000)