Image source, Getty Images

Managers and players have spoken about how much they miss a crowd at the stadiums and - going by results so far - the lack of home support appears to being having an influence on the outcome of matches.

Only one of the four Premier League games on Saturday ended with a home win - Brighton's triumph over Arsenal - while in the Championship it was even bleaker for the hosts, with only one of the 10 games ending in a home win. Six of those 10 matches ended in an away victory.

In total, just three of the 18 Premier League and Championship games that have been played since the season was restarted have ended in wins for the hosts.

Newcastle United

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce talking to Sky Sports on his team selection: "What we looked at were the players and fitness levels. The team today - hopefully - is the ones that are the fittest and brightest. We'll let it unfold and hope to get the result that will help everybody."

On the takeover reports: "I can't deny it's a distraction, but I can't use that as an excuse. The only thing I can influence is what happens here. It's not an excuse, but it's not great."

Matt Price: Steve Bruce hasn't done a really good job at all. He's only benefited from Mike Ashley giving him all the cash in the world for average players, after having limited Rafa to not much in two seasons - who honestly considers Bruce an upgrade from Rafa?!

Writing this one off Arsenal fans?

Between you and me, most post-match interviews are pretty dull.

So hats off to Neal Maupay as the Brighton striker set a good opening pace...

Image source, .

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce keeps faith with Joelinton. The Brazilian striker, who cost £40m in the summer, has only scored one Premier League goal so far. His other key striker, Andy Carroll, who is having contract talks with the club, is on the bench along with Dwight Gayle.

Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron are the other forwards in the Magpies' attack.

Winger Matt Ritchie has been declared fit and takes his place in the XI.

Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Manquillo, Lascelles, Fernandez, Rose, Ritchie, Hayden, Shelvey, Saint-Maximin, Almiron, Joelinton.

Subs: Schar, Carroll, Gayle, Muto, Krafth, Yedlin, Lazaro, Darlow, Bentaleb.

Image source, .

Sheffield United make just one change from the side that drew 0-0 with Aston Villa in midweek.

Scottish midfielder John Fleck has recovered from injury and replaces John Lundstram, who drops to the bench.

Sheff Utd XI: Henderson, Basham, Egan, Robinson, Baldock, Berge, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, McBurnie, Sharp.

Subs: Zivkovic, Lundstram, Luke Freeman, Jagielka, Kieron Freeman, Mousset, Osborn, Moore, Rodwell.

Image source, Getty Images

The first Premier League game to be broadcast on the BBC attracts a peak television audience of 3.9 million.

Chuck in 660k live programme requests for the game across the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport digital platforms and all of a sudden Jack Stacey can't leave his house.

European football "is possible" next season, says Crystal Palace skipper Luka Milivojevic after helping his side to a comfortable victory over strugglers Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

In the first top flight game shown live on BBC TV since 1988, Roy Hodgson's side moved into the top 10 and left the mediocre Cherries in the relegation zone.

Anyway did you miss this from last night?

This nation is so divided in so many ways.

Kyle Utterson: Steve Bruce has done a good job under difficult circumstances. He has the club in the same position this season to Benitez last season. We have took 10 points off big 6 clubs and in a fa cup quarter final. What more do people want with this average squad.

Newcastle United

Nice and easy team news, as both sides make just one change. Though Newcastle did last play in March as opposed to Sheff U's last game being on Wednesday.

Joelinton is in for Dwight Gayle, while John Fleck is back in for the Blades.

Full lineups to come.

Newcastle United

Image source, Getty Images

Though he hasn’t scored in six appearances since December, Jonjo Shelvey has scored more than twice as many Premier League goals as any other Newcastle player this season (5), with his five goals coming from just 10 shots on target.

The enormous Leazes End behind the goal at Newcastle somehow looks even larger with no fans in it.

I'll have team news for you very soon.

'Steve Bruce has done a really good job.'

Discuss.

Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle's takeover saga rumbles on and on and on. I feel a bit sorry for their manager Steve Bruce, who has done a really good job - every time he loses he is out of a job, apparently, and it is the same with stories about him being replaced by whoever buys the club.

Sheffield United did not really look like scoring for long periods against Aston Villa and, sadly for them, everyone who mattered missed it when they did get the ball into the net.

I don't see many goals being scored in this set of fixtures anyway, but especially not at St James' Park.

Prediction: 1-1

See Lawro's predictions here

Martin Brophy: Glad to be watching football again especially the mighty toon army today howay the lads

Leeds are losing, by the way.

Follow that game here.

Image source, Getty Images

So how are we finding it? Glad to be back? Already sick of it? Bored of being asked?

Let us know. Or don't, you know. Whatever.

Text me at 81111 (UK Only with a name on please) or tweet us at #bbcfootball.

First of all we're off up to Newcastle for the latest instalment of the Chris Wilder story.