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Alongside Ruben Amorim's official arrival at Manchester United, the main manager-related news in the Premier League during the break was the confirmation that Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension at Manchester City until 2027.

The Spaniard said he could not leave the club after suffering four consecutive defeats for the first time in his coaching career prior to the November international break.

And he says he will stand by City even if they are relegated over alleged breaches of financial rules, claiming "75%" of rival clubs want to see them go down.

The 53-year-old has committed his future to the club even though no decision is expected around the 115 Premier League charges City are facing until early next year.

City deny any wrongdoing but sanctions in the event of a guilty verdict could range from a huge fine to points deductions or even relegation.

"I felt I could not leave now. Maybe the four defeats was why," Guardiola said.

"I think we deserve, after four defeats in a row, to bounce back and try to turn the situation. I think we deserve to be here. I am not arrogant to say, but it's the truth."

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While we await to see the reaction Leicester fans give Enzo Maresca, the Italian spoke in glowing terms about his title-winning year with Leicester City in the East Midlands in his pre-match news conference.

"I'm excited and thankful, it was a fantastic season," he said.

"The owner and his family are fantastic people. They care for players, staff, all of the people that work in the club. You can see that."

While Maresca's record at Leicester was impressive, some supporters struggled at times with his patient brand of football. However, Pep Guardiola's former assistant was praised the bond created within the club.

"It was a fantastic season because I met good people," he said.

"There was a fantastic connection between the players and staff, and that is something you have to create to be successful.

"I'm still in contact with them - it was fantastic."

Joe Cole
Ex-Chelsea and England midfielder on TNT Sports

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I think with what's happening at Man City and Arsenal, if Liverpool have a blip, Chelsea could be the ones behind them who could emerge.

Will it be an enjoyable return to the King Power Stadium for Enzo Maresca today?

On the subject of bosses being reunited with their former clubs, can you recall any particularly happy returns to former clubs for managers? Or perhaps those that ended pretty badly...

But whatever is on your mind as we get stuck in to the start of the Premier League's hectic winter schedule, get in touch with us on #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply).

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Chelsea appointed Enzo Maresca as their new boss in June on a five-year contract, replacing Mauricio Pochettino.

Maresca, who took charge of Leicester City in June 2023, led the Foxes to the Championship title and Premier League promotion in his single season in charge.

The Italian is Chelsea's sixth managerial appointment in the past five years - and the fourth since American investor Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital bought the club in May 2022.

But there have certainly been promising signs since the start of his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

Under Maresca, Chelsea have won 10 and lost just four of 18 matches - an average of 1.89 points per match - to sit third in the Premier League and top of the Uefa Conference League, while developing a style of play which has seen them score on average 2.5 goals per game.

Fara Williams
Former England midfielder on BBC One

With only four points separating third and 13th, we do not normally see that many teams in this type of mini league.

Normally, you might have the teams in a pack around the top four or five and then another pack underneath that with your relegation pack as well, so the fact there is so many teams in it at this stage is making it different.

From the mental side of competing in that, you look at Manchester United who have struggled so much this season and are sitting 13th. If they get a win, it can shoot them right up the table. They are in a position to think they are only a few points off the Champions League places' and that is good.

But it can work both ways. Knowing the points are so close can keep you strong, keep you competing and have that competitiveness because you know a result can jump you up. But on the flipside, you could easily go from seventh down to 13th in one weekend or from third down to 10th.

How you deal with it depends on the manager, the players and also the psychologists within the group. Psychology in sport is really important for whether you see the situation as a positive or a negative.

Whether it stays like this all season is hard to say as there have been some really inconsistent performances and results. The most consistent team is the one sitting at the top.

I do not know what the rest of the campaign has in store for these sides because all the teams seem to be able to take points off each other this season.

New Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says he is the "right man" for the club but will need time to implement his ideas.

The 39-year-old signed a two-and-a-half-year deal earlier this month to replace Erik ten Hag, who was sacked in October, and takes over a United side who are 13th in the Premier League table.

While Amorim recognises the size of the task facing him at Old Trafford, he believes he can turn the club's fortunes around.

"I'm a little bit of a dreamer and I believe in myself and I believe in the club," he said at his first news conference.

"I think we have the same idea, the same mindset and that can help. I truly believe in the players, I know you don’t believe a lot but I do. I want to try new things. You guys don’t think it’s possible, I do.

"Call me naive, but I believe I am the right guy at the right time. I truly believe I am the right guy."

Down in the bottom half of the table, Ruben Amorim will take charge of a Manchester United side which begin the weekend in 13th - but actually still within four points of the top four despite their mixed start which saw Erik ten Hag lose his job.

There are no winless sides remaining, with each of the bottom four clubs winning once in their first 11 fixtures but undoubtedly needing to improve significantly so achieve survival this term.

Steve Cooper's Leicester are in 15th before facing Chelsea this afternoon, and could go six points clear of the relegation places with a surprise win.

After seven games in the Premier League today, on Sunday all eyes will be on Portman Road at 16:30 GMT when Ruben Amorim takes charge of Manchester United for the first time against Kieran McKenna's Ipswich Town.

That comes after leaders Liverpool visit Southampton at 14:00 hoping to maintain their strong start against the league's bottom side.

There's also Monday night football to look forward to in this round of fixtures, with Newcastle United hosting West Ham at 20:00.

When the Premier League paused for the third international break in as many months, this is how things stood.

Liverpool, after their fantastic start under Arne Slot, hold a five-point lead over defending champions Manchester City after winning nine of their first 11 matches.

Enzo Maresca's Chelsea are in third and can reduce the gap to Liverpool to six points with victory in the early kick-off.

However, with just one point separating the sides between third and ninth any dropped points could see the Blues slip down a few places over the weekend.

Leicester City

Leicester City midfielder Harry Winks, speaking to TNT Sports: "I have started to grow into the season and play regular minutes and find some good form. The most important thing is to find some good results, get some winning form and get ourselves up the table.

"I have said from the first day of the season with the group of players we have got we should be aspiring a lot higher than a relegation battle.

"Of course, the Premier League is a tough league, trying to find a win is important. As players we believe a lot in ourselves, but we have got to deliver it on the pitch."

Injuries and suspensions effect Steve Cooper's side, but Jamie Vardy returns from injury to the starting line-up.

Caleb Okoli, Kasey McAteer and Bilal El Khannouss also come into the starting 11 as they replace Jannik Vestergaard, Abdul Fatawu and Facundo Buonanotte.

Leicester City XI: Hermansen; Justin, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen, Winks, Soumare, Ndidi, McAteer, El Khannouss, Vardy.

Substitutes: Ward, Coady, Thomas, Choudhury, Skipp, DeCordova-Reid, Mavididi, Ayew, Daka.

Enzo Maresca returns to the King Power with Benoit Badiashile, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Felix named in the starting 11.

Cole Palmer is fit to start and he will be supported in attack with Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson and and Joao Felix

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Fofana, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez , Madueke; Palmer, Joao Felix, Jackson.

Substitutes: Bettinelli, Jorgensen, Tosin, Veiga, Lavia, Dewsbury-Hall, Mudryk, Sancho, Nkunku.

In our poll at the top of the page, you can have your say on whether you think Chelsea will make this season's top four and secure a Champions League return.

Chris Sutton
Former Premier League striker

For week 12 of his Premier League predictions, Chris Sutton takes on The Farm singer and Liverpool fan Peter Hooton. Here are his thoughts on today's early kick-off...

Enzo Maresca is back at Leicester for the first time since he left to take charge of Chelsea in the summer, and I actually think his return will be quite straightforward for him and his side.

Leicester will be pretty happy with the way they have started the season, given they had to replace Maresca, but I still think Steve Cooper faces a hard job to keep them up.

The only thing that makes me question whether Chelsea will win is because you never know quite where teams are after the international break, and also how many of their injured players will still be out.

Cole Palmer was one of them, but I am willing to bet he will start this game. If he is fit, they will have a little bit too much for Leicester.

Sutton's prediction: 1-3

Wooton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here.

The team news has just landed at the King Power Stadium and the big news for Chelsea fans is that Cole Palmer is fit to start.

Full team news coming right up!

After featuring in each of the Blues' last four games - including two full 90 minutes - captain Reece James has suffered yet another hamstring injury.

Although boss Enzo Maresca was keen to stress it would only be a short-term absence, the defender said on social media there is “another challenge ahead”.

But “against all odds” he said he will “eventually come out on top”.

Since the start of the 2022-23 season, Chelsea have played 87 Premier League matches with James only featuring in 30 of those, making just 22 starts.

We'll have team news from the King Power Stadium for you at 11:15 GMT. Until then, here's what we know...

Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Jamie Vardy is managing a back problem but has returned to training, while fellow striker Patson Daka is fit after three months out with an ankle issue.

Manager Steve Cooper has allayed fears that Jordan Ayew suffered a serious injury on international duty and says the Ghanaian may be available this weekend.

Chelsea club captain Reece James misses out because of a hamstring strain.

Malo Gusto, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho have all been passed fit and Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia are expected to feature.

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We dive back into the Premier League with seven games coming up on Saturday, starting with Enzo Maresca's return to Leicester with new club Chelsea.

That one kicks off at 12:30 GMT at the King Power Stadium, before all this (all times 15:00 unless stated):

• Bournemouth v Brighton
• Arsenal v Nottingham Forest
• Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
• Everton v Brentford
• Fulham v Wolves
• Manchester City v Tottenham (17:30)

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Good morning!

The final international break in 2024 is over and now Premier League clubs meet the gruelling prospect of an intense winter period - with some teams facing as many as nine matches in the month of December.

While nothing will be decided during the coming weeks, hopes and dreams can easily unravel amid the wind, rain, sleet and snow.

But who will exit the festive period in high spirits - and which sides will enter 2025 with a bit of a hangover?

Strap yourselves in, because it's about to get busy.

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