It's back.

How are you feeling about your club as the top flight returns?

A Manchester United fan excited by the new era under Ruben Amorim?

An Arsenal fan hoping that Saturday restarts a push to the top?

Maybe a Southampton supporter hoping the busy schedule will provide a chance to get off the bottom of the table?

Let us know your thoughts, concerns and/or excitements as the Premier League returns.

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

Image source, Getty Images

Is this the official end of the international break? Premier League news conferences coming in their droves? Here's what we've got to feast on today:

• 09:00 - Brighton / Fabian Hurzeler
• 09:30 - Leicester / Steve Cooper
• 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

Image source, Getty Images

Premier League

Saturday

Leicester v Chelsea (12:30 GMT)

Bournemouth v Brighton

Arsenal v Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa v Crystal Palace

Everton v Brentford

Fulham v Wolves

Man City v Tottenham (17:30 GMT)

Sunday

Southampton v Liverpool (14:00 GMT)

Ipswich v Man United (16:30 GMT)

Monday

Newcastle v West Ham (20:00 GMT)

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

Manchester City may still be second in the Premier League but they are going through a slump in form that hasn't been seen since Pep Guardiola took the reins.

A defeat by Brighton last time out was the first time Guardiola has suffered four successive defeats at the club and was the first time since 2006 that City have lost four in a row.

The run certainly isn't terminal in terms of their bid to win a record-extending fifth straight Premier League title, given they are only five points behind leaders Liverpool and four points clear of third-placed Chelsea.

They also remain in a decent position in the Champions League group stage - despite being thrashed by Sporting - but know they must regain their form quickly to stay realistic contenders on all fronts.

It has been suggested in some quarters the uncertainty over Guardiola’s future was a significant factor in City’s current run, and there will now be the hope his decision can provide that clarity and certainty to propel the team forward.

A bigger issue though remains the injuries within his squad, with the absence of defenders Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and John Stones undoubtedly a key issue.

In addition, Phil Foden has struggled to find his form and Ilkay Gundogan is yet to reach the level of performance he was at before he left for Barcelona after helping City win the Treble in 2023. Kevin de Bruyne and Jack Grealish have been injured, while Ballon D’Or winner Rodri is out for the season.

City will get no sympathy because of their success and the money they have spent to achieve it, but that number of issues, to any squad in the Premier League, would have a negative impact.

Daily Mirror

Finally from today's newspapers, the Mirror features the Pep Guardiola story as well but also reports that Newcastle will make another move for Marc Guehi in January after failing to agree a deal with Crystal Palace in the summer.

With the England defender entering the final 18 months of his contract, the Magpies believe they could sign the 24-year-old for £30m.

Image source, Daily Mirror

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

It is the way of football that even before Manchester City have confirmed the news, questions are being asked about the timing and what it means in relation to the England job.

A straight one-year deal for Pep Guardiola could leave him free to replace Thomas Tuchel when his contract with the Football Association expires.

But Tuchel has not taken charge for a single game yet. If he fulfils his remit and wins the 2026 World Cup, would he walk away?

Would Guardiola be that keen to replace him? It does seem inevitable Guardiola will manage at international level one day – and if Spain is not an obvious move because of his stance on Catalan independence, England is an option.

He has also been linked to the Brazil job over the past few weeks and it is known Guardiola's ambition is to one day manage a national side.

But given we are talking about nearly two years down the line - and six months ago, it seemed certain Guardiola would be leaving City - it is probably wise to hold back from looking too far ahead.

The I

The i mentions that the Pep Guardiola news is a "defiant clarion call" to Manchester City fans "in the face of 115 charges".

It also reports on Everton's director of football Kevin Thelwell saying that the Friedkins, the club's prospective new owners, "feel like the right people" to turn their fortunes around.

Image source, the i

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

It is often difficult to read Pep Guardiola. He can appear tired in news conferences but there is also an inner fire which has enabled him to set and maintain his standards.

There is also something different about his attachment to City.

He still talks about Barcelona as "his club" but he found the pressure suffocating and quit after four seasons.

At Bayern, he stayed for the length of an initial three-year contract and nothing more. At City, he admits, he has everything he needs.

He likes living in England, has no intention of moving to Italy, so what were the alternatives. The big question, post Treble triumph, is where does the motivation come from?

This season, there is a feeling he is responding to a double challenge. He has brought up City’s 115 Premier League charges on at least two occasions, suggesting the negativity attaching itself to the club is on his mind.

In addition, his side's form would concern any manager. His reaction has been telling. In the aftermath of the 4-1 defeat at Sporting earlier this month, when asked about the challenge in front of him, Guardiola replied: "I like it, I love it. I want to face it."

It almost feels as if, having achieved so much, he is relishing the prospect of having to prove doubters wrong.

The Daily Mail

In the latest instalment of Manchester City's bid for world domination, the Mail reports that the Premier League champions have launched a move into children's television in a bid to attract a new generation of supporters.

Image source, Daily Mail

Sam Drury
BBC Sport

Aston Villa owner Nassef Sawiris has said the club will join Manchester City in voting against amendments the Premier League has proposed to rules governing commercial deals.

On Friday, top-flight clubs will vote on the changes to Associated Party Transaction regulations (APTs) at a Premier League meeting.

Sawiris, Egypt's richest man, argued the league needed a "fresh start" and as such the vote on APTs should be delayed until February to increase the chances of "unanimous support".

Manchester City have already written to the 19 other clubs expressing their "fundamental concern" over what they claim are "unlawful" amendments the Premier League has proposed.

In October, both City and the Premier League claimed victory after the decision of an arbitration panel over APTs.

The Daily Telegraph

Today's Daily Telegraph has an exclusive on Aston Villa owner Nassef Sawiris,, external who it says has warned the "embattled" Premier League its turbulent legal fight with Manchester City is now costing the competition dear.

Image source, Daily Telegraph

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

It is significant Pep Guardiola has committed his future to Manchester City when the Premier League case is still to be decided.

It seems unlikely he will know how that will go but he has been consistent in cautioning against a rush to judgement before the full facts are known and also in his view that what he is being told about the club’s conduct backs up their view they have done nothing wrong.

Regardless, it is 12 months since he said pointedly he would stick around even if City were "relegated to League One".

That buys into the theory Guardiola’s ties to the City ownership are so strong he would not walk away if the worst was to become reality.

While there is so much uncertainty around the case itself, Guardiola has guaranteed one thing.

He will not only continue to be the public face of the club and have to deal with questions as they arise over the next few weeks but also will remain in post for months afterwards as the aftermath is debated.

The reality now – and it would probably have been the case anyway – is that Guardiola’s reputation will forever be tied to City’s, good or bad.

The Times

The Times also reports that there is no break clause in the new contract Pep Guardiola has agreed with Manchester City.

The Spaniard has previously said he will leave the club if they are found guilty of the Premier League's 115 charges for alleged breaches of financial rules.

Image source, The Times

Dan Roan
BBC sports editor

Image source, Getty Images

Goalkeeping coach Hilario has resigned from his role at Chelsea and is set to be appointed to Thomas Tuchel's England staff.

Hilario has spent 16 years at Stamford Bridge as a player and coach, over two spells.

Tuchel worked with the former goalkeeper during his time in charge of Chelsea and begins his tenure as England manager on 1 January.

It is understood Hilario was open to a job share but Chelsea were unhappy with that arrangement.

Martyn Margetson was England's previous goalkeeping coach but he left with former manager Gareth Southgate after Euro 2024.

Hilario joined the Premier League side from Portuguese outfit Nacional in 2006, making 39 appearances before retiring in 2014.

The 49-year-old returned to Chelsea in 2016 as an assistant goalkeeping coach under Antonio Conte and was promoted to goalkeeping coach by Maurizio Sarri.

He remained part of the staff under Tuchel, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and current manager Enzo Maresca.

The Guardian

Today's Guardian features the Pep Guardiola story and mentions that there is no break clause in his new contract, which would allow him to leave if Manchester City are relegated as a result of the 115 Premier League charges they are facing.

The Guardian has also done an interview with former Ipswich boss George Burley, who is being treated for cancer, and reports that Chelsea's goalkeeping coach Hilario will be part of Thomas Tuchel's coaching staff when he becomes the England boss in January.

Image source, The Guardian

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

ICYMI, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has agreed a one-year contract extension.

Although City are refusing to comment on a story that was first reported in The Athletic, multiple sources have confirmed Guardiola has elected to sign a new deal to take his stay at the club to 10 years.

The 53-year-old Spaniard joined City in 2016 and has won 18 trophies so far, including six Premier League titles.

His contract had been due to expire at the end of the current season. There have been suggestions the new agreement will have the option of a second year, although this is not known at this stage.

This weekend sees Ruben Amorim have his first game as Manchester United's head coach while there was some big news from the other side of town this week.

We'll have more on that shortly, plus a look at today's newspapers.

• Wolfsburg 5-0 Galatasaray
• Lyon 4-1 Roma

• FC Twente 2-3 Real Madrid
• Chelsea 3-0 Celtic

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Stamford Bridge

And first, let's have a look at Wednesday's action in the Women's Champions League as Chelsea reached the quarter-finals with a dominant victory over Celtic, who can no longer reach the next stage as a result.

It continued new manager Sonia Bompastor's 100% record after 11 games in charge as the Blues went through with two group games to spare.

After coming from behind to win 2-1 in Scotland last week, Lucy Bronze scored Chelsea's opener inside a minute in London, with a well-executed volley from a corner.

Wieke Kaptein made it 2-0 midway through the first half, heading in another cross, before Eve Perisset added a late third from the penalty spot as Chelsea cruised to victory against a young Celtic side.

Elena Sadiku's team are competing in the Women's Champions League group stage for the first time and are yet to pick up a point.

They battled hard at Stamford Bridge in front of their noisy travelling fans but the gulf in experience was evident.

Bompastor's arrival at Chelsea this summer was partly because of her success in this competition with Lyon, and the Frenchwoman has already guided the Blues seamlessly through to the knockout stage in impressive style.

For Celtic, this was another step on the steep learning curve as they develop under Sadiku, and highlighted the tough task ahead to match Europe's elite.

• Chelsea-Celtic match report

Image source, EPA

So, the final international break of 2024 comes to an end, and with it comes effectively non-stop football over the next few weeks and months.

Hope you're ready! The fixture calendar has the following to look forward to:

• Four rounds of Premier League football within just three weeks - including a midweek schedule from 3 December
• Two rounds of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League; one next week and then again a fortnight after - and an extra Conference League round after that, too!
• EFL Cup quarter-finals - that's also happening the week before Christmas

And that's all before the Christmas fixtures begin. So if you've missed your dose of club football recently, don't worry, it's coming back thick and fast.