snow possible tomorrow evening some snow possible across high ground of southern england but more especially across wales, into the midlands, 30 centimetres over the higher slopes in wales, the south pennines, further north across the pennines a0 centimetres of snow. disruptive snow to lower levels as well and some into eastern and southern scotland and northern parts of northern ireland. tending to turn back to rain because markedly milder air will tuck in from the south. staying cold up toward the north and as we look to next week the cold air is going to win out. there could be wintry showers but do bear in mind that snow and ice this weekend. sophie. and that's bbc news at six. you can keep up with all the latest developments on bbc website. hello, and welcome to sportsday. i'm olly foster.

can luke littler fulfil his darting destiny? we'll look ahead to the world championship final later tonight, and how the teenager has transformed and transcended the sport. leaders liverpool won't underestimate manchester united this weekend, even though everything points towards another comfortable win for the leaders. and there's friction on the first day of the final test in sydney, as australia look to seal the series against india. also coming up on sportsday... the hottest ticket in rugby — it's a big weekend for ilona maher and her millions of followers, as she prepares for her bristol bears debut. and more skeleton success for british sliders, as matt weston wins in winterberg to move to the top of the world cup rankings.

evening. in the next few hours, we will have our first world champion of the year — that's what the darts always delivers, and it should be a fantastic occasion. 12 months after storming alexandra palace as a 16—year—old, luke littler is back in the final — and what a year he's had, the teenager taking title after title on tour, but now he has a second crack at the greatest prize of all. standing in his way one of the big beasts on the oche, dutchman michael van gerwen — twice littlers�* age, a three—time world champion — in what will be his seventh final. we'll get the latest from north london in a moment — but first, here's patrick gearey on a sport that has really hit the bullseye with the rise of luke littler. and so, to the final double. littler is through- — and so, to the final double. littler is through. one _ and so, to the final double. littler is through. one littler, _ and so, to the final double. littler is through. one littler, the - and so, to the final double. littler

is through. one littler, the other. is through. one littler, the other older. michael— is through. one littler, the other older. michaelvan _ is through. one littler, the other older. michael van gerwen, - is through. one littler, the other older. michael van gerwen, the l older. michael van gerwen, the three—time champion, against luke littler, the sport's new sensation. the ending will be show business. it'll be massive for myself. he's going in for his fourth title, i'm going in for his fourth title, i'm going in for my first — and obvious it's been a while since michael picked up a trophy. i’zfe it's been a while since michael picked up a trophy.— it's been a while since michael picked up a trophy. i've been in this position — picked up a trophy. i've been in this position a _ picked up a trophy. i've been in this position a few— picked up a trophy. i've been in this position a few more - picked up a trophy. i've been in this position a few more times. i picked up a trophy. i've been in - this position a few more times. the moment_ this position a few more times. the moment people don't believe in me, thais— moment people don't believe in me, that's the _ moment people don't believe in me, that's the moment i have to keep fighting _ that's the moment i have to keep fighting and keep believing in the abilitx _ fighting and keep believing in the abili . , ~ ., ., ability. this evening, alexandra palace will _ ability. this evening, alexandra palace will be _ ability. this evening, alexandra palace will be at _ ability. this evening, alexandra palace will be at the _ ability. this evening, alexandra palace will be at the centre - ability. this evening, alexandra palace will be at the centre of l palace will be at the centre of british sport. littler has focused interest on the oche like never before. demand for tickets at this year's event before. demand for tickets at this yea r�*s event was before. demand for tickets at this year's event was at the same level as glastonbury — more than 300 members of the media have attended, viewing figures on sky are up 39%. a neon world a long way from the dark rooms of darts past. in the 1980 world final, bobby george's sequin shirt offered a glimpse of the future razzmatazz. he and eric

bristow put on a show. i future razzmatazz. he and eric bristow put on a show.- future razzmatazz. he and eric bristow put on a show. i don't think it chanced bristow put on a show. i don't think it changed again — bristow put on a show. i don't think it changed again because _ bristow put on a show. i don't think it changed again because everyonel it changed again because everyone not it changed again because everyone got involved- _ it changed again because everyone got involved. there _ it changed again because everyone got involved. there was _ it changed again because everyone got involved. there was all- got involved. there was all cheering. _ got involved. there was all cheering, the _ got involved. there was all cheering, the atmosphere i got involved. there was all. cheering, the atmosphere was unbelievable. _ cheering, the atmosphere was unbelievable. and _ cheering, the atmosphere was unbelievable. and the - cheering, the atmosphere was unbelievable. and the noise i cheering, the atmosphere was unbelievable. and the noise —| cheering, the atmosphere was - unbelievable. and the noise — they used _ unbelievable. and the noise — they used to— unbelievable. and the noise — they used to do— unbelievable. and the noise — they used to do that, _ unbelievable. and the noise — they used to do that, we _ unbelievable. and the noise — they used to do that, we wanted - unbelievable. and the noise — they used to do that, we wanted to - unbelievable. and the noise — they used to do that, we wanted to be i used to do that, we wanted to be bin, used to do that, we wanted to be big, we _ used to do that, we wanted to be big, we wanted _ used to do that, we wanted to be big, we wanted to _ used to do that, we wanted to be big, we wanted to have _ used to do that, we wanted to be big, we wanted to have a - used to do that, we wanted to be big, we wanted to have a show, i used to do that, we wanted to be i big, we wanted to have a show, you know? _ big, we wanted to have a show, you know? but— big, we wanted to have a show, you know? but today, _ big, we wanted to have a show, you know? but today, there _ big, we wanted to have a show, you know? but today, there is— big, we wanted to have a show, you know? but today, there is a - big, we wanted to have a show, you know? but today, there is a lot - big, we wanted to have a show, youl know? but today, there is a lot more money— know? but today, there is a lot more money in _ know? but today, there is a lot more money in it— know? but today, there is a lot more money in it and — know? but today, there is a lot more money in it and the _ know? but today, there is a lot more money in it and the audiences - know? but today, there is a lot more money in it and the audiences are - money in it and the audiences are massive — money in it and the audiences are massive. , , _ money in it and the audiences are massive. , money in it and the audiences are massive. the sport bobby played came out of the pubs- _ massive. the sport bobby played came out of the pubs. it _ massive. the sport bobby played came out of the pubs. it inspired _ massive. the sport bobby played came out of the pubs. it inspired punch - out of the pubs. it inspired punch lines. , ., out of the pubs. it inspired punch lines._ laughter | lines. double vodka. laughter but not promotion. _ lines. double vodka. laughter but not promotion. meanwhile, i but not promotion. meanwhile, snooker was growing fast, driven by barry hearn's match room. after darts would split, he to get involved with the pdc and help turn into an entertainment business. you've got have fun, sport is our escape. and to do that, we need characters to be part of their journey. so it luke littler took darts into the mainstream — which

means tv rights are worth more, sponsorships are worth more, more money comes in, prize money goes out. , , , ., out. this event is still growing, there are _ out. this event is still growing, there are plans _ out. this event is still growing, there are plans to _ out. this event is still growing, there are plans to increase - out. this event is still growing, there are plans to increase to l out. this event is still growing, l there are plans to increase to 128 players with another four days of competition. so the champion might be littler — the championship certainly will be not. patrick gearey, bbc news. let's head live to alexanda palace — natalie pirks is there for us. back look at that, a box seat for you. it could be a special night tonight, because you have van gerwen - i tonight, because you have van gerwen — i called him one of the big beasts — but then you have luke littler with tungsten in his veins. this - but then you have luke littler with tungsten in his veins. this is the blockbuster _ with tungsten in his veins. this is the blockbuster final, _ with tungsten in his veins. this is the blockbuster final, isn't - with tungsten in his veins. this is the blockbuster final, isn't it? . with tungsten in his veins. this is| the blockbuster final, isn't it? the the blockbusterfinal, isn't it? the one we all wanted, the three—time world champion against the teenager coming back for a second consecutive final. i don't think we'll be seeing

tonight too much of the pali, fist pumping we've been seeing between littler and certainly aspinall and bunting last night. van gerwen is typically dutch, very direct, and after a shaky couple of rounds for luke, he actually said he'd been the biggest disappointment of the tournament so far, saying he's not at 100% because people are expecting way too much of him, then littler responded by a 103 dart average in this match against ryanjoyce, which was a seven set thriller. the dutchman was also asked last night about the fact that he's currently the youngest player to have won it, at 2a back in 201a. luke littler could smash that by seven years — but he said he doesn't care, he's got plenty of time to take that title, all he cares about is when his fourth title. he also joked that he is the wonder boy here because they keep putting him on the last for tv audiences. so i don't think there'll be any love lost tonight,

there's plenty of respect, but perhaps not love.— there's plenty of respect, but perhaps not love. you do sense, don't you. _ perhaps not love. you do sense, don't you. that _ perhaps not love. you do sense, don't you, that michael - perhaps not love. you do sense, don't you, that michael van - perhaps not love. you do sense, i don't you, that michael van gerwen hasjust had his nose put out don't you, that michael van gerwen has just had his nose put out a little bit ofjoint by luke littler, but hasn't luke littler done that to some of the great players over the past 12 months? it's incredible what he's won on tour, using the final last year as a springboard, fulfilling that potential pretty much from the off. ten fulfilling that potential pretty much from the off.— fulfilling that potential pretty much from the off. ten titles last ear, much from the off. ten titles last year. van — much from the off. ten titles last year, van gerwen _ much from the off. ten titles last year, van gerwen has— much from the off. ten titles last year, van gerwen has someone l much from the off. ten titles last i year, van gerwen has someone not much from the off. ten titles last - year, van gerwen has someone not to. but when it comes to the two of them, six apiece in terms of their actual matches against each other, so it must be difficult for someone like van gerwen, who thought of as a legend of the sport, he's only 35 with years left in him, and he's the same amount of money, in terms of prize money this year, give or take a couple of grand — with a couple of grand between friends or

non—friends? they are not a par in terms of how well they are playing in this tournament, though van gerwen seems to be coming to this ball atjust the right gerwen seems to be coming to this ball at just the right time gerwen seems to be coming to this ball atjust the right time — but it must be galling if you're playing at such a longtime, and must be galling if you're playing at such a long time, and the 17—year—old comes in with an astonishing year and everyone wants to talk to him. tonight will be all down to who can really hold their nerve. both are posting brilliant scores, littler has the most 180's in the entire tournament, but it'll come down to who can nail those doubles at just the come down to who can nail those doubles atjust the right time, and that's the small margins we are talking here between players as brilliant as these two. end talking here between players as brilliant as these two.— brilliant as these two. and van gerwen has — brilliant as these two. and van gerwen has a _ brilliant as these two. and van gerwen has a slightly - brilliant as these two. and van gerwen has a slightly better. brilliant as these two. and van - gerwen has a slightly better doubles finish on average during the tournament. we can see it's pretty empty at the moment, but we are only 90 minutes away, a little over 3000, the place will be rocking, and there's always a huge dutch presence there, they love their darts as well — what's the gut feeling on the ground, natalie? - what's the gut feeling on the ground, natalie?— - what's the gut feeling on the ground, natalie? they are about to 0 en the ground, natalie? they are about to

open the doors. — ground, natalie? they are about to open the doors, they're _ ground, natalie? they are about to open the doors, they're about - ground, natalie? they are about to open the doors, they're about to i open the doors, they're about to start flooding in and you get the fancy dress, loads of duchies here. so that'll be really interesting for littler because last year, he was the absolute favourite, everyone cheering for him, we will hear plenty of walking in — but in this tournament, he's also been hearing a lot of other fans singing for the players he's playing against when they've been coming back into the match. we heard it with bunting throughout the tournament. that's been different for luke and he'll get that lot from van gerwen and the dutch fans. it'll be an absolute fascinating final, one we all desperately wanted, and i can't wait for it to start. desperately wanted, and i can't wait for it to start-— for it to start. natalie, all very here, for it to start. natalie, all very here. thanks _ for it to start. natalie, all very here, thanks very _ for it to start. natalie, all very here, thanks very much - for it to start. natalie, all very| here, thanks very much indeed for it to start. natalie, all very - here, thanks very much indeed -- all here, thanks very much indeed —— all veryjealous here. arne slot says that manchester united have much better players than their league position suggests, and he'll put out the strongest liverpool side that he can, when they play them at anfield on sunday. united have lost five of their last six in the league, and have slipped to 1ath in the table — and halfway

through the season, they are closer to the bottom than the top, 23 points behind the leaders. joe lynskey reports. between them, these clubs have 139 league titles — but for liverpool and united, success rarely comes in sync —— one 39 league titles. when one is at the top, the other is in transition. this has been a season where that's never been more stark. for manchester united, the misery deepens. for manchester united, the misery dee ens. , ' deepens. united set 14th in the table, defeat _ deepens. united set 14th in the table, defeat to _ deepens. united set 14th in the table, defeat to newcastle - deepens. united set 14th in the - table, defeat to newcastle brought the uncomfortable question. this the uncomfortable question. as you're edging closer to the relegation zone, it a battle to avoid — relegation zone, it a battle to avoid the _ relegation zone, it a battle to avoid the drop in the second half of the season? i avoid the drop in the second half of the season?— the season? i think it's a possibility. _ the season? i think it's a possibility, and - the season? i think it's a possibility, and we - the season? i think it's a possibility, and we have| the season? i think it's a l possibility, and we have to the season? i think it's a - possibility, and we have to be the season? i think it's a _ possibility, and we have to be clear with our fans. the possibility, and we have to be clear with our fans.— with our fans. the problems at old trafford go — with our fans. the problems at old trafford go beyond _ with our fans. the problems at old trafford go beyond this _ with our fans. the problems at old trafford go beyond this run - with our fans. the problems at old trafford go beyond this run of- with our fans. the problems at old | trafford go beyond this run of form. a player brought in by the last coach was subbed, then booed off — a

man who spent his whole career here says he could be time to move. marcus rashford won't play at sunday pots match at anfield. united go there on a run of three straight league defeats. if there on a run of three straight league defeats.— there on a run of three straight league defeats. if you want to be a to team, league defeats. if you want to be a top team. you _ league defeats. if you want to be a top team, you have _ league defeats. if you want to be a top team, you have to _ league defeats. if you want to be a top team, you have to be - league defeats. if you want to be a top team, you have to be leaders. | top team, you have to be leaders. and we have that in the dressing room — but they have to step up. and this moment is really, really hard,