1. Relegation battlepublished at 10:00 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Sheffield United, Burnley and Nottingham Forest occupy the bottom three places in the Premier League with up to 10 games to go. Will they still be in the relegation zone after the final games of the season on Sunday, 19 May?

    Bottom half of the Premier LeagueImage source, .
  2. Title race & European placespublished at 09:51 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    The clocks go forward this weekend, which just underlines the fact that we are entering into the business end of the season.

    Here is a look at the top half of the Premier League table.

    While Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City are fighting it out for the title, a whole host of teams below them are still vying for places in European competition next season...

    Top half of the Premier League tableImage source, Getty Images
  3. get involved

    Get Involved - title-defining weekend?published at 09:45 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Pep Guariola and Mikel Arteta embraceImage source, Getty Images

    We can look forward to plenty of intriguing battles in the Premier League this weekend, but it is pretty obvious what the standout fixture is - Sunday's mouthwatering game between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad.

    Will the victors have the upper hand in the Premier League title race? Are the losers out of it? Does a draw put Liverpool in pole position?

    Let us know your thoughts on how this weekend will pan out for the top three, and your thoughts on any other football issues for that matter.

    Message us on X using the hashtag #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  4. Premier League returnspublished at 09:40 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Saturday kick-off times in GMT, Sunday in BST

    We will return to that feature on Declan Rice in a moment, but let's just remind ourselves about what we have in store this Easter weekend.

    Are you ready for this?

    The Premier League returns with a bang. Here is a rundown of the fixtures:

    Saturday, 30 March

    Newcastle v West Ham (12:30)

    Bournemouth v Everton (15:00)

    Chelsea v Burnley (15:00)

    Nottm Forest v Crystal Palace (15:00)

    Sheff Utd v Fulham (15:00)

    Tottenham v Luton (15:00)

    Aston Villa v Wolves (17:30)

    Brentford v Man Utd (20:00)

    Sunday, 31 March

    Liverpool v Brighton (14:00)

    Man City v Arsenal (16:30)

  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:31 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

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    I get the impression that this is Gareth Southgate’s last tournament. If he manages to guide England to victory this summer after decades of waiting, he will bow out on a high as arguably the most successful England manager ever. If England fall short yet again (even if we got to the final), he will have to go. The fans will demand it.

    Tom in Laugharne

  6. How has Rice improved title-chasing Arsenal?published at 09:26 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Man City v Arsenal (Sun, 16:30 BST)

    Declan Rice celebrating while playing for ArsenalImage source, Getty Images

    When Arsenal spent £100m to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice last summer there was a suggestion in some camps that the Gunners had overpaid.

    But those voices have quietened as the England international, with some brilliant performances in a more attacking position, has helped fire Arsenal to the top of the table with 10 games to go.

    Maybe his biggest test yet will come on Sunday when they visit title rivals Manchester City, who also tried to sign Rice last summer and had a bid of £90m rejected.

    The Gunners may be top of the Premier League - but they were in the same position after 28 games last season and fell away - so will Rice help them get over the line? Arsenal, Liverpool and City are only separated by a point in a gripping three-way title tussle.

    So what has Rice changed at Emirates Stadium this season?

    Click on this link to read this feature and find out more.

  7. Postpublished at 09:21 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Right, time to turn our focus to the return of the Premier League this weekend.

    We'll be hearing from no less than eight managers today including Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, Everton manager Sean Dyche and Nottingham Forest chief Nuno Espírito Santo.

    They will all be speaking around lunchtime. But before then, let's take a look at the big fixture, Manchester City v Arsenal, and specifically how Gunners midfielder Declan Rice will be such a key player in the contest.

  8. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:10 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

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    John Hastings: It's a great pity Steph Houghton was injured when Sarina Wiegman became England manager, otherwise she would have been part of the winning Euro 2022 squad.

  9. Iconic Houghton leaves women's game in better placepublished at 09:03 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport

    Steph HoughtonImage source, Getty Images

    There is one moment among many highlights during Steph Houghton's extraordinary career that helps paint a picture of her as a person.

    When England were knocked out by USA in the 2019 Women's World Cup semi-finals - after Houghton's 84th-minute penalty was saved - she clasped the hands of the team-mates pulling her up from the ground at full-time, held back her tears and went to speak to the media.

    "I've let the team down. I'm gutted and heartbroken. We were so close but I'm proud of everyone because we gave it everything," she said.

    It was the mark of a true leader - one of England's greatest - that she would publicly shoulder such responsibility.

    This was one of the lowest moments of a brilliant career which has spanned three decades and yet she reacted with the same humility, professionalism and honesty as when enjoying success.

    Read more of my analysis here...

  10. Prosecutors seek jail term for Rubiales kisspublished at 08:56 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Luis Rubiales kisses Jenni HermosoImage source, Getty Images

    Spanish prosecutors want the ex-head of the country's football federation to be jailed for two-and-a-half years, after he kissed a female footballer against her will at Spain's World Cup victory.

    Luis Rubiales is facing charges of sexual assault and coercion after he grabbed Jenni Hermoso and kissed her on the mouth last August.

    Hermoso and her teammates said the kiss was unwanted and demeaning.

    Rubiales was forced to resign, but has denied any wrongdoing.

    Read the full story here...

  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 08:52 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

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    Re Jez in Bolton at 08:38. Maybe the Daily Star made a typo mistake and it was meant to read Gareth Southgate being Gary O'Neil's number two? Sounds more plausible to me.

    Justin in Brighton

  12. Chelsea show Euro pedigreepublished at 08:47 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Chelsea 1-1 Ajax (4-1 on aggregate)

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at Stamford Bridge

    As well as chasing a fifth successive league title, Chelsea hope to have success in both domestic cups and the Champions League this season.

    Managing an injury-hit squad will be crucial and knowing they had one foot in the last four,

    Emma Hayes made seven changes to the starting 11 at Stamford Bridge. Among those to keep her place was 20-year-old Aggie Beever-Jones and the winger was hugely impressive just 24 hours after missing out on England senior squad selection.

    She teed up Erin Cuthbert, Guro Reiten and Mayra Ramirez in the first half, before the Colombian forward, the British record signing, coolly gave Chelsea the lead when played through on goal.

    Cuthbert was another standout performer, picking up the player of the match award and receiving praise from Ajax captain Sherida Spitse. Ajax did not whimper out of the competition - Romee Leuchter and Tiny Hoekstra almost broke the deadlock in the first half.

    Zecira Musovic was forced into two acrobatic diving saves to deny Leuchter and substitute Danique Tolhoek later on.

    Those chances will no doubt infuriate Hayes but this was all about progressing to the semi-finals which Chelsea did with relative ease across the two legs.

    They have an FA Cup semi-final to play next month as well as this weekend’s League Cup final and Chelsea have once again proven their pedigree in European competition.

    Read the rest of my match report here...

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 08:38 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

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    Gary O’Neil has done enough to prove himself as a manager in his own right. Who does Sir Jim Ratcliffe think he is to earmark him as a number two? Shows Gary no respect in my opinion.

    Jez in Bolton

  14. Hayes 'expects' Chelsea to be in semispublished at 08:33 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Chelsea 1-1 Ajax (4-1 on aggregate)

    Emma HayesImage source, Getty Images

    Emma Hayes says Chelsea "expect to be" in the semi-finals of the Women's Champions League after securing their spot for a second season running by dispatching Dutch side Ajax.

    The Blues were held to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday but won the tie 4-1 on aggregate after a 3-0 victory in Amsterdam.

    Chelsea were beaten in the semi-finals by champions Barcelona last season.

    "We expect to be here, I should say that," said Hayes.

    "If you look at our record in the Champions League, even in the last five years, it was only once we didn't qualify from the group. We've made the latter stages every [other] year.

    Read the full story here...

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 08:27 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

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    im_triple: It's incredible to think that Chelsea could achieve a quadruple in Emma Hayes' last season as manager.

  16. Chelsea reach Champions League semispublished at 08:21 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Chelsea 1-1 Ajax (4-1 on aggregate)

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at Stamford Bridge

    Mayra Ramirez celebrates scoring with her Chelsea team-matesImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea booked their place in the Women's Champions League semi-finals for a second season running with a comfortable aggregate victory over Ajax last night.

    Emma Hayes' side, who are chasing the quadruple this season, had a 3-0 lead from the first leg and only needed to complete the job at Stamford Bridge.

    They got the early goal they craved when Mayra Ramirez slotted it through the legs of goalkeeper Regina van Eijk in the 33rd minute.

    But Ajax were able to respond after the break as Chasity Grant raced onto a through ball to slide a shot past goalkeeper Zecira Musovic from close range.

    Chances for both sides came and went in the first half, with neither team taking control, before Ajax stepped up their attempts to mount a comeback.

    But Chelsea were composed as they did enough to seal qualification, while resting players before this weekend's Women's League Cup final against Arsenal.

    It means USA-bound Hayes' hopes of winning the European crown for the first time with Chelsea remain alive in her final season with the club.

    Read the rest of my match report here...

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 08:15 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Gary O'Neil to work as Gareth Southgate's number two at Manchester United? Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish to potentially miss out on Euro 2024? Lots of talking points from today's papers.

    We'd love to know your thoughts on those subjects, and anything else football wise you might want to get off your chest.

    You can message us via X using the hashtag #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  18. 'O'Neil deal'published at 08:10 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Thursday's back pages

    The Daily Star

    Daily Star back pageImage source, Daily Star

    Finally, the Daily Star lead with a story about Manchester United's managerial plans for next season. According to the paper's chief sports writer Jeremy Cross the Red Devils want "want Wolves boss Gary O'Neil to join the club's coaching team at Old Trafford". United have "targeted O'Neil to work alongside a head coach, which they hope will be England boss Gareth Southgate".

  19. 'Everton borrow yet more money'published at 08:03 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Thursday's back pages

    The I

    The I sports sectionImage source, The I

    The I have put a story about Everton's financial situation as the main story on the front of their sports section. "Everton‘s would-be owners 777 Partners will advance another loan to the club at the end of March to cover wages and costs of building the new stadium on Bramley Moore docks," the paper reports.

    The story adds that the loan is "being sanctioned with the anticipation of a decision on their long-running takeover finally being made after the Easter break".

  20. 'Shame on you'published at 07:54 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Thursday's back pages

    The Daily Mail

    Daily Mail back pageImage source, Daily Mail

    The Daily Mail put an image of Jude Bellingham and James Maddison having a night on the town after England duty on their back page. However, their lead story is a suspension given to Nottingham Forest coach Steven Reid for abusing referee Paul Tierney during their defeat to Liverpool at the start of the month.

    According to the paper, Reid was "shown a red card for his rant, which has now been detailed in the referee's report, but has escaped with a £5,000 fine and two-match touchline ban".