Summary

  1. Premier League news conferences to comepublished at 12:01 Greenwich Mean Time

    All times GMT

    Is this the official end of the international break? Premier League news conferences coming in their droves? Here's what coming over the rest of the day:

    • 12:00 - Chelsea / Enzo Maresca
    • 13:00 - Southampton / Russell Martin
    • 13:30 - Nottingham Forest / Nuno Espirito Santo
    • 13:45 - Everton / Sean Dyche
    • 14:30 - Brentford / Thomas Frank
  2. get involved

    Get Involved - Premier League returnspublished at 11:59 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    What a load to tosh that Opta forecast is. I am a Liverpool fan but reporting we have a 62% chance of winning the league before the December fixture chaos is ludicrous. If the same percentage is reported on 4 January then I might believe it.

    Mike

  3. Spurs have 'a few tactical issues that need to be looked at'published at 11:57 Greenwich Mean Time

    Man City v Tottenham (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Aaron Lennon
    Former Tottenham winger on the Planet Premier League podcast

    I definitely believe there is a wider issue [at Tottenham]. If you look at those games [where they have dropped points] – some of the games were poor finishing, but a lot of the games, for me, were closing out the games, stiffening up the midfield.

    They've got so many attacking players on the pitch all the time and in this league, it's so unforgiving, and you're going to concede chances and concede goals and that's what they have done.

    For me, there's times when I've looked at it and said we need two holding midfield players in there. We're 2-0 up against Brighton, we don't have to push our full-backs on to win three or four. So for me, there are a few tactical issues that need to be looked at.

  4. get involved

    Get Involved - Premier League returnspublished at 11:55 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I couldn't be more excited for the start of Ruben Amorím's reign. There's something different about this appointment. Not just his track record, his emphasis on identity, or him being the new leadership's man, but there's something about his general character - there's an aura about him. I'm not only hopeful but confident he'll be successful and represent to us (and it pains me to say it) what Klopp did to Liverpool, that he'll be the one to galvanise the players, reunite them with the fans and return us to the top. The fact opposition fans have been so vocal about him tells me they're worried, as they ought to be...

    Ed, Chester

  5. Guardiola waiting for an international job?published at 11:52 Greenwich Mean Time

    Man City v Tottenham (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Aaron Lennon
    Former Tottenham winger on the Planet Premier League podcast

    I thought this was going to be Pep Guardiola's last season [at Manchester City], so I was a little bit surprised. For City, I think it's massive.

    It's interesting timing, but I think him only doing another year extension, it could be after one of the big international jobs [comes available]. I think that's where he will be looking to go.

  6. Guardiola agrees to extend contract - Man Utd fan's viewpublished at 11:48 Greenwich Mean Time

    Alex Turk
    Man Utd fan writer

    Ruben Amorim and Pep Guardiola go to shake handsImage source, Getty Images

    Ruben Amorim has naturally dominated the headlines regarding a manager in Manchester this week. But an anomalous spike momentarily diverted the discussion on Tuesday.

    Manchester City's all-conquering boss is there to stay. At least for one more season after this one.

    It is a little annoying, isn't it? But should Manchester United fans be bothered? I don't think so.

    Arne Slot's almost flawless start at Liverpool has disappointed many an Old Trafford regular hoping for a post-Jurgen Klopp fall-off in the ilk of an all too familiar decline after the days of Sir Alex Ferguson.

    It has also served as a reminder that Guardiola leaving City does not automatically mean the same, although there would be an air of vulnerability at Etihad Stadium.

    The painful truth is that City are an expertly run club - 115 charges pending - and that is why, despite Txiki Begiristain's impending exit, the Catalan coach is staying put.

    So, with that in mind, United must focus on themselves. Amorim's arrival has sparked a wave of optimism and rightly so.

    It has been a painful decade. City and Liverpool battling for the Premier League while United scrap for a European spot is now the norm.

    So the most important thing is to back Amorim and Ineos' efforts in preparing to pounce when Guardiola eventually does call it quits.

  7. 'So frustrating' watching Spurspublished at 11:41 Greenwich Mean Time

    Man City v Tottenham (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Aaron Lennon
    Former Tottenham winger on the Planet Premier League podcast

    I wouldn't say [Tottenham] have moved forward. They've definitely taken a few steps back after [Mauricio] Pochettino. In recent times, with Ange [Postecoglou] coming in, I think they've improved. I know they've been hot and cold this season, but if you look at a lot of the games this season, if you look at the likes of Leicester, that game they should have won. The Newcastle game they were dominating possession so should have won that, the one at Brighton also.

    These are small margins. If you look at that now, take the points into consideration, they'd be right at the top of the league. This is why, for me, it's so frustrating watching them this season because they are so close to being right up with the top boys. They should be there in the top three.

  8. Guardiola agrees to extend contract - Liverpool fan's viewpublished at 11:32 Greenwich Mean Time

    Jordan Chamberlain
    Liverpool fan writer

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates after winning a fourth straight Premier League titleImage source, Getty Images

    It was not the best news to wake up to from a Liverpool perspective. A few years back, Pep extended during the international break in November and it revitalised Manchester City and propelled them to the Premier League title. This happening again is obviously the worry.

    Guardiola is the best manager in the world. He has been for some time. It is a lazy myth that he has only won so much because he has been at a club who have spent loads of money. If that was the case, why have Manchester United not done anything of note in the past decade? Why are Chelsea not automatically title contenders? He is a ruthlessly brilliant tactician and someone who is utterly obsessed with winning.

    Over the years, his teams were always a little ahead of Jurgen Klopp's. The German often beat City in one-off games, but over the course of the season, Guardiola came out on top. Klopp lost the title on 97 and 94 points, remember.

    Arne Slot, though, has come into Liverpool and hardly put a foot wrong. He is maximising the talent at his disposal and I would say, perhaps controversially, that Liverpool currently have better players than City - from back to front.

    Their first ever meeting is coming up next weekend and it could be symbolic, given a Liverpool win could see Guardiola eight points behind Slot, providing both sides win on their return from the international break.

  9. Guardiola news a 'big boost' for Man Citypublished at 11:27 Greenwich Mean Time

    Man City v Tottenham (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Nedum Onuoha
    Former Manchester City defender on the Planet Premier League podcast

    I was thinking this was going to be Pep Guardiola's last season but definitely something has been said to him that makes him want to have that one last year. Maybe it's the case that he'll end up being there for a decade and that could mean something to him, maybe it's in relation to international jobs that come afterwards, maybe the break he wants to take.

    I think overall from a City perspective, they must be delighted to keep probably their greatest of all time. The timing of it is weird. You know, in relation to when they will be having discussions about charges. The fact that it's the middle of November. But it's a big boost for them. I think continuity is something most teams thrive for.

  10. Guardiola agrees to extend contract - Arsenal fan's viewpublished at 11:22 Greenwich Mean Time

    Oli Price-Bates
    The Fresh Arsenal podcast

    Pep Guardiola extending his stay at Manchester City led to a shrugged-shoulder reaction from myself and many Arsenal fans.

    There is still the underlying expectation (perhaps more hope) that City will be punished for their alleged wrongdoings and subsequently heavily penalised.

    I am sure Guardiola has some sort of break clause if that were to happen, so for me, the future of Guardiola and Manchester City is more dependent on the outcome of the charges being pursued against them, charges they are indeed fighting.

    I wonder if this contract extension was announced now to provide a deflated City side an early-season boost rather than any real longer-term commitment.

    In terms of how it affects Arsenal this season, I think we have got our own issues to sort out rather than spending too much time thinking about other clubs' affairs. And right now, it is Liverpool that Mikel Arteta needs to catch.

    Arsenal must ensure they are there to capitalise if Manchester City are not at their 90+ point best for whatever reason, otherwise they will have only themselves to blame.

  11. What is Man City's record without De Bruyne?published at 11:15 Greenwich Mean Time

    Man City v Tottenham (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Kevin de Bruyne running while playing for Manchester CityImage source, Getty Images

    In the Premier League this season, Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne has started four matches. In the other seven, De Bruyne has either been absent, come off the bench, or been an unused substitute.

    De Bruyne's four league starts for City this season have all resulted in wins for Pep Guardiola's side, giving City 12 points out of 12.

    In their other seven league games, City have picked up 11 points from a possible 21, averaging 1.57 points per game - a drop of almost 50%.

  12. How long has De Bruyne been out for?published at 11:12 Greenwich Mean Time

    Man City v Tottenham (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Kevin de Bruyne looks onImage source, Getty Images

    Kevin de Bruyne returned for Manchester City prior to this month's international break, coming off the bench in defeats at Sporting and Brighton in City's last two matches before the break.

    Prior to that, De Bruyne missed nine matches with a hamstring issue in all competitions, and was also an unused substitute against Bournemouth earlier this month.

    Having only featured off the bench twice in his road to recovery, De Bruyne was left out of Belgium's squad in Uefa Nations League defeats to Italy and Israel.

  13. Who is due back for Man City?published at 11:05 Greenwich Mean Time

    Man City v Tottenham (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Kevin de Bruyne was among four players with recent injury concerns pictured by Manchester City's club website in training.

    Swiss defender Manuel Akanji missed his country's two Uefa Nations League matches over the last week. Midfielder Phil Foden and winger Jack Grealish, who has missed City's last six matches, withdrew from the England squad last week.

  14. Postpublished at 10:56 Greenwich Mean Time

    Oh, wow, here's confirmation that the shirt does indeed hang from the ceiling in the living room.

    Doesn't it get in the way?!

    Oden shirtImage source, Oden
  15. get involved

    Get Involved - Premier League returnspublished at 10:54 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Three things occupy my mind. I hope LFC are working day and night to sort out the essential contracts, most importantly the ones for Salah and Van Dijk. Alexander-Arnold would also be nice to secure but I don’t know if that’s possible. Secondly I would like it very much if everyone started treating the season for what it is, and that is "not over yet". I can't stand the "LFC's to lose"-agenda and it has a big-time jinx all over it. And last but not least: superstition overload! How can I convince my wife my first LFC jersey has to hang where I put it because it really works? I mean, who needs a ceiling lamp in the living room? (If we need light, I call up Thor.)

    Oden, True North

    The shirt hangs from the ceiling? In the living room? Your wife may have a point. Any other bizarre superstitions out there?!

    And any chance you can let us have Thor's number? I need some help knocking down the garden wall.

  16. Cooper 'doesn't want any negativity' around injuriespublished at 10:51 Greenwich Mean Time

    Leicester City v Chelsea (Sat, 12;30 GMT)

    Leicester City

    Leicester City boss Steve Cooper on whether there will be a change in formation: "We'll see. We are disappointed, particularly with the Abdul [Fatawu] situation and for him, but we can't dwell on these things. It does happen and I don't want any negativity so there won't be any from me and I don't want any negativity around the club about it. I want to see it as an opportunity to show how strong the squad is and can be, and whoever is playing, we've spoken about it in press conferences and experienced it this season when people come off the bench or have started when they haven't started a game before.

    "This is just the nature of a squad in the Premier League. Of course you always want a fully-fit squad, everybody competing for places, but that isn't always the case and you do go through phases where you can pick up some injuries and we feel like we are going through that at the moment but I don't want any negativity on it, I don't want any dwelling on it. I want it to be seen as an opportunity to bring us together to show us who we are."

  17. Daka available, maybe Vardy and Ayew toopublished at 10:45 Greenwich Mean Time

    Leicester City v Chelsea (Sat, 12;30 GMT)

    Leicester City

    Leicester City boss Steve Cooper on team news: "Patson [Daka] is back training, so he is available. Jamie [Vardy] has been back training with the group but it's slightly modified so we will see where he is with regards to the weekend and Jordan [Ayew] has come back injured as well from international duty.

    "It's not a serious injury, as it might have been reported locally in Ghana. The hope is that he may be available on the weekend but it's a little bit inconclusive on that at the moment."

  18. Fatawu will come back 'a stronger player and person'published at 10:42 Greenwich Mean Time

    Leicester City v Chelsea (Sat, 12;30 GMT)

    Leicester City

    Leicester City boss Steve Cooper on injured winger Abdul Fatawu: "He's obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn. There is so much to be excited about with him and we were enjoying very much being on the journey of stepping into the Premier League.

    "He was starting to show good signs of the potential that he has. It's only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case."

    Nottingham Forest's Callum Hudson-Odoi shields the ball from Leicester City's Abdul FatawuImage source, Reuters
  19. Fatawu out for rest of the seasonpublished at 10:35 Greenwich Mean Time

    Leicester City v Chelsea (Sat, 12;30 GMT)

    Leicester City

    Leicester City boss Steve Cooper on the injury to 20-year-old Ghana winger Abdul Fatawu: "It's a serious injury. He's had an ACL injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. So a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is. Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it's still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

    "We very much now have to support him in every way and in making his rehab and return as smooth and productive as possible, with the hope that although it is going to be a long-term injury, he comes back a stronger and better player and person. It's difficult news really, but now we've all got to get ourselves together and support him as I know we will."

  20. Guardiola staying 'best thing that can happen to Premier League'published at 10:30 Greenwich Mean Time

    Brighton & Hove Albion

    Pep Guardiola smiles at a news conferenceImage source, Getty Images

    Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler on Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola being set to extend his contract: "It's the best thing that can happen to the Premier League because in the end, he is one of the best coaches in the world. With his ideas, he always brings something new to the football stage and it is always a challenge to compete against him.

    "He always adapts quickly, always has new ideas and he can always win the game. I'm very happy that he will hopefully extend his contract because we can learn from him and to compete with him is a big, big experience."