1. Stick with uspublished at 16:31 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    That is it for this page today, but there is still plenty of live football news and coverage to soak up.

    Check out the links in the summary to get a recap of the day's main stories and talking points.

    And then head to this page to check out the draw for the women's Euros.

    Remember, the BBC Sport website and app will have full coverage of Bournemouth v West Ham in the Premier League, with build-up from 18:30 GMT.

    Thanks.

  2. Euro 2025 draw taking place in Switzerlandpublished at 16:29 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport women’s football news reporter in Lausanne

    The Alps on the flight into SwitzerlandImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Switzerland are hosting Euro 2025

    We're in Lausanne, a city running alongside Lake Geneva in Switzerland, where tonight's Euro 2025 draw will take place.

    It is being shown live on BBC Two from the SwissTech Convention Center at 17:00 GMT.

    Defending champions England and tournament debutants Wales will find out their opponents - and they could be drawn against each other.

    The Lionesses are in Pot 2, while Wales sit in Pot 4. Hosts Switzerland are in Pot 1 with world champions Spain.

    Follow the draw from 16:30 GMT here.

  3. 'It has been a very good week'published at 16:28 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Bournemouth v West Ham (20:00 GMT)

    Bournemouth

    What Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said to the media before tonight's Premier League game against West Ham:

    • Marcos Senesi is out with an injury that will require surgery. "It's a big one. Three, four months normally is what it takes," said Iraola. Marcus Tavernier also has a muscle injury but Iraola said it is a "normal" one and he will be out for "some weeks". Tyler Adams is expected to be available on Monday.
    • On three wins in eight days: "When you're in a competition, you don't enjoy it a lot. If you win or you lose you have to do this [enjoy it or not] in a period of 24 hours and then start thinking about the next game. It has been a very good week - it's nine points."
    • On West Ham: "They are a very good team and they have very good players. We had experience [against them] in the cup - it was a very level game that they won in the last minute. I expect something similar and they also had an important win on Monday."
    • On Julen Lopetegui: "We have crossed [paths] many times. Julen is always difficult - he's a very good coach, experienced and it's the Premier League. every week you face a good opposition manager and you have to be ready for the challenge - and I hope we are on Monday."
  4. 'We have to be ready to show our strengths and compete'published at 16:27 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Bournemouth v West Ham (20:00 GMT)

    West Ham United

    West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has been speaking to the media before tonight's Premier League game against Bournemouth.

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Niclas Fullkrug has "fully recovered" from his injury but Lopetegui was hesitant to say whether or not the striker is ready to start a Premier League match yet: "I think it's good news for us that he is back and he is going to be ready to help us. Let's see whether he is going to be [starting] or not but, step by step, he is feeling stronger."
    • On whether any pressure on himself or his players has been alleviated following the win over Wolves on Monday: "The pressure is always there in our work. We are talking about the Premier League so each match is very difficult. In the same way, each match is a very good opportunity and challenge. We are working to be ready to show our best phase against Bournemouth."
    • He is expecting a competitive match against Bournemouth, who are currently eighth in the Premier League: "We have to be ready to show our strengths and compete. I think that is what we're going to need against a team that is going to demand a lot. In my opinion, they are the best at home - so we are going to be ready to give a good answer there."
    • Gameplan-wise, his side will focus on "the things that are under our control" while being ready to have a "good answer, believe in ourselves and go there with the right mentality".
  5. get involved

    'Spurs, Man Utd and Newcastle will think they have a chance of top four'published at 16:23 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Anon: Who do you think will be able to strengthen most in the January window and do you agree that the likes of Tottenham, Manchester United and Newcastle are out of any conversation about the top four?

    I think Manchester City will make a serious attempt to strengthen in January, in central midfield particularly, to get their faltering season back on track.

    As for the top four, I still think City will get themselves together and join Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.

    Crazy as it sounds, I suspect privately that the three clubs you mention might still think they have a chance of the top four as Spurs and Newcastle are only five points behind Nottingham Forest in fourth, while United are six points back.

    Do I think they will do it? No. Too inconsistent. Do I think they should still be thinking about it? Yes.

  6. Postpublished at 16:20 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Let's hear from Phil McNulty one final time following what has been a mammoth question and answer session today...

  7. Cherries' big home winspublished at 16:19 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Bournemouth v West Ham (20:00 GMT)

    Bournemouth

    Bournemouth are a formidable force on home turf and have picked up recent wins over Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City.

    In total, they have won four at home, also beating Southampton, and drawn one, against Newcastle.

    Their two defeats came against Chelsea (0-1) and Brighton (1-2).

    Andoni Iraola celebrating with his playersImage source, Getty Images
  8. Big game at Bournemouthpublished at 16:15 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Bournemouth v West Ham (20:00 GMT)

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    On the face of it, Bournemouth against West Ham is not the most exciting game to end this particular match round with.

    But the result could well shape the narrative of both clubs for the next few weeks.

    A victory for the home side would put them right in the mix for a European slot, while a West Ham win would leave them nine points clear of the drop zone.

    That would allow Julen Lopetegui some breathing space, even though doubts over his long-term status as manager remain.

    Defeat for the Hammers, however, would raise questions over the former Spain and Real Madrid coach's tenure at a time when we already have two Premier League clubs looking for new bosses.

  9. Where can Bournemouth finish?published at 16:14 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Bournemouth v West Ham (20:00 GMT)

    Bournemouth

    As previously said, Bournemouth can move level with Man City in fifth with three points against West Ham but where does Opta's supercomputer see the Cherries ending up in May?

    According to Opta, they are most likely to finish eighth or 10th with an 11.5% chance. They also have a 9.5% chance of finishing fifth.

    Would you take that Bournemouth fans?

    Justin Kluivert of Bournemouth celebrates after scoringImage source, Getty Images
  10. Bournemouth looking at Europe?published at 16:12 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Bournemouth v West Ham (20:00 GMT)

    Bournemouth. In Europe? Imagine!

    A win tonight and they will be level with Manchester City and up to sixth in the table. What a season they're having.

    West Ham are not enjoying quite as much success this season under new manager Julen Lopetegui but after beating Wolves last Monday, another win - especially away at a team like Bournemouth - will add some much-needed momentum.

    Three points will see the Hammers go a point behind Manchester United and close in on that mid-table scramble.

  11. get involved

    'I’m sure Brighton will pull out of this mini-slump'published at 16:07 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Anon: Hi Phil, do you think Brighton’s recent poor form is a blip or have other coaches all worked out tactics to unsettle them?

    I’m going with a blip. Let’s not forget Brighton are only four points off the Champions League places, currently sitting in ninth, although four Premier League games without a win is, of course, a concern.

    They have some fine players and have had some very good results under Fabian Hurzeler, so I’m sure Brighton will pull out of this mini-slump.

    Fabian HurzelerImage source, Getty Images
  12. Antonio is 'recovering well'published at 16:05 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Bournemouth v West Ham (20:00 GMT)

    West Ham United

    West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui confirmed his players would visit team-mate Michail Antonio in hospital over the weekend after he underwent surgery on a lower limb fracture following a car accident on 7 December.

    "We are going to visit him today or tomorrow," Lopetegui said on Friday.

    "But the main thing is we are happy because he is recovering well. We are close to him and his family and we wish him the best for the next days.

    "The best news about Michail Antonio was that he was able to talk with us before the [Wolves] match - [because] looking at the car crash, it was one miracle [he was OK].

    "Now he is strong, he is recovering himself in the next months to be a man first and then a player."

    West Ham attacker Michail AntonioImage source, Getty Images
  13. Team news - Bournemouth duo out & West Ham doubtspublished at 16:03 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Bournemouth v West Ham (20:00 GMT)

    Tyler AdamsImage source, Getty Images

    We have another 30 minutes to run in today's football news page, just enough time to build up to tonight's final Premier League game of the weekend.

    Bournemouth pair Marcos Senesi and Marcus Tavernier have been ruled out for the foreseeable future but Tyler Adams is available for the visit of West Ham after being rested last weekend.

    Senesi has had thigh surgery and will be sidelined for at least three months, while Tavernier faces a few weeks out because of a hamstring injury.

    West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui said two unnamed players are nursing injuries and will be assessed.

    Emerson is suspended, while Michail Antonio has undergone surgery on the lower limb fracture he sustained in a car accident.

  14. get involved

    'Do we need to put a clock on it?'published at 15:56 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    AVFC on X: What can be done to improve the standard of officiating in the Premier League? Week after week of shocking decisions is simply not acceptable. This week, an Elliot Anderson special. Blatant penalty for pulling Morgan Rogers. When did the word 'fleeting' (which it wasn't) make its way into the rule book?

    Do not get me started on “fleeting". What a load of nonsense. Do we need to put a clock on it? When did this even start?

    Anderson’s grab on Rogers’ arm in the area was more than “fleeting”, although my view is that once you pull on someone’s arm it is a foul wherever it happens on the pitch and however long you grab.

    Playing devil’s advocate, Forest will say Rogers had hold of Anderson’s shirt when the tussle started but the incident in the area was not “fleeting”.

    You should not have to have hold of someone for a certain length of time for a foul to be given.

    Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson challenges Aston Villa's Morgan RogersImage source, Getty Images
  15. What is next for Wolves?published at 15:50 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Wolves 1-2 Ipswich

    Wolves

    Wolves are five points from safety with three matches in a week to come, before the end of the month:

    • 22 Dec - Leicester City (a)
    • 26 Dec - Man Utd (h)
    • 29 Dec - Tottenham (a)

    Sunday's game at the Foxes, who are 17th, could be significant for both teams in their quest for Premier League safety.

    Will Vitor Pereira be in place for that one?

  16. Who is Pereira?published at 15:44 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Wolves 1-2 Ipswich

    Wolves

    Wolves are in talks with Al-Shabab manager Vitor Pereira to replace head coach Gary O'Neil, who was sacked by the club on Sunday.

    The club is hopeful of completing the deal for the Al-Shabab manager within the next 48 hours.

    The 56-year-old has been in charge at Al Shabab since February, finishing eighth in the Saudi Pro League last season. They currently sit sixth after seven wins from 13 games.

    He won two Primeira Liga titles with Porto in 2012 and 2013 and the Greek Super League with Olympiakos in 2015.

    Pereira also had coaching spells in China with Shanghai SIPG and in Brazil at Corinthians and Flamengo.

    Vitor PereiraImage source, Getty Images
  17. get involved

    Buckingham 'deserved better than that'published at 15:38 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Des Buckingham lifts League One play-off trophy at WembleyImage source, Getty Images

    Phil Gilman, Championship YIMBY on X: Not the Premier League but close to your heart, what did you make of Oxford United’s decision to sack Des Buckingham? One win in 15 but it’s not gone down well with the majority of supporters.

    Really difficult one, this one, Phil. I gather from listening to the news locally and Jerome Sale’s podcast that this has gone down very badly with fans.

    It is very sad it has not worked out after the glorious day at Wembley in May when Oxford United were promoted to the Championship at Wembley.

    There was so much goodwill towards Des as a local boy and Oxford fan, which I think has understandably upset the fans even more.

    What we do not know are the inner workings of the club under Des, allied to the poor results, and the board clearly felt they needed to act to at least give Oxford a chance to stay up.

    What I was very disappointed with was the club statement which did not even mention what Des had done in getting Oxford up via the win at Wembley.

    He deserved better than that. It certainly makes the next appointment vital because, with the current ill-feeling, the new manager will need to make a fast start.

  18. 'It doesn't help that the players are losing their heads'published at 15:32 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Wolves 1-2 Ipswich

    Matheus CunhaImage source, Getty Images

    "It doesn't help that the [Wolves] players are losing their heads," said former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast.

    "It was Mario Lemina last week and now Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha losing it this week.

    "The change probably comes at the right time."

    Gary O'Neil was sacked on Sunday with Wolves second from bottom as defeat to Ipswich left them with no points from their past four games.

    In the aftermath of the defeat, players clashed with Ipswich staff and security, as Rayan Ait-Nouri was sent off in the tunnel after clashing with Liam Delap and Matheus Cunha could be the subject of a Football Association investigation having been involved in an altercation with Ipswich's security.

    Al-Shabab manager Vitor Pereira is rumoured to be first choice to replace O'Neil, but Wolves travel to Leicester City on Sunday - who are only two points above the relegation zone.

    "The Wolves squad is good enough to get out of trouble so they have to recruit well," Morrison added.

  19. 'Southampton have a Championship team'published at 15:30 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Southampton 0-5 Tottenham

    Harry Redknapp
    Former Southampton manager on BBC 5 Live

    Southampton have a Championship team. If they go back down, they will be back top of the Championship again.

    But in the Premier League those players aren't good enough. That group is not good enough.

    Southampton players watch on as Tottenham scoreImage source, Getty Images
  20. Saints plot their next movepublished at 15:27 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Southampton's coaching staff met with chief executive Phil Parsons this morning as the Saints plot their next move following the departure of boss Russell Martin on Sunday.

    Assistant manager Matt Gill has also left but first-team coaches Carl Martin and Colin Calderwood, goalkeeping coach Dean Thornton, analyst Ben Parker and fitness coach Rhys Owen are currently staying at St Mary's.

    Though that remains the case only for now, with some staff expected to eventually move on once a new head coach is in place.