Fulham

Fulham boss Marco Silva on West Ham: "Even if they are not controlling the game on the ball, they are not on the front foot, they can punish any team in this league.

"They don't need to really perform great, great, great, but if you are not on it every single moment of the game, they can punish you because they have the quality, they have a really experienced manager as well."

"They have the quality with Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and all those players, the quality of Lucas Paqueta and James Ward-Prowse behind them. They are always a threat."

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Luton boss Rob Edwards said Manchester City's recent form "doesn't make a difference to us".

Pep Guardiola's side are on a run of four Premier League games without a win, but Edwards is still expecting a tough test.

"I'm excited we’re playing them, I think the whole football club should be as well," he said.

"Look what they’ve done in recent years - they’re a winning machine. We’re expecting the best and that’s what we’re preparing for. Their recent run of not winning doesn’t make a difference to us."

Edwards said sharing the touchline with Guardiola is a "privilege" and something he is fully embracing.

"We’ve got the best managers in the world in this league, we are really lucky, and he is the best," he said.

"I remember watching his Bayern Munich team and falling in love with the team and what they were doing. My favourite ever game of football is that second leg [of their Champions League] semi-final against Atletico Madrid. It will be a privilege to go up against him and his team."

Chelsea

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Chelsea lost six games in the whole of 2021-22 on their way to third spot under Thomas Tuchel. They've already lost six in the opening 15 league matches under Mauricio Pochettino this season.

Nathan Jones
Former Luton manager speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live

It is Manchester City and they have world-class players all over the pitch but it [no Haaland] does affect mindsets.

I remember when we played them in the quarter final of the cup and he didn't start in that game and immediately we were able to be braver, bolder because he's the one that can get in behind, he's the one that has that real special talent.

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Man City fan Kieran on 5 Live: "Rodri is a massive key but I think a lot has been glossed over with how much we've missed Kevin de Bruyne this season.

"When you think last season we had De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan. I think people have just expected it to be as easy for him to do it this season but I think he's finding it tough."

Lucy Oliva
BBC London

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Chaotic. Unpredictable. Tumultuous. Volatile. Inconsistent.

These probably are not adjectives Mauricio Pochettino or Chelsea fans want associated with their football team right now.

After the latest instalment of this crazy campaign saw them fail to show up in a sorry 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford by a Manchester United side that has been parodied all season, there is plenty of head scratching going on as to who the ‘real’ Chelsea are.

Their inability to string a run of wins or performances together is glaring.

It feels as though they are in a constant state of flux, taking one step forward but then two back just a few days later.

Sam: Mixed thoughts for Luton - play champions at home, some will like no Haaland others would’ve liked see him play against them at their ground.

This is Manchester City's first visit to Kenilworth Road since 1998.

Dreamland for Luton fans but there's a match to be won and Hatters boss Rob Edwards will demand his players push last season's Treble winners as hard as they have against Liverpool and Arsenal in recent weeks.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Millsy: Seriously how can any West Ham fan question Moyes at all? They tried to “take the next step” once before and what happened? They had to bring him back again! Once he’s reached a certain age they won’t be able to do that when it goes pear shaped again!

Michael Brown
Former Man City midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

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You have got to take Aston Villa seriously [in the title race]. It is not just the last couple of results. It is since Unai Emery walked into Villa Park.

They are here to stay and everybody has said they are right in it. Let's be fair, a top four finish is going to be remarkable for Aston Villa.

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Manchester City cannot be top at Christmas even if they win their next two Premier League games before flying to Saudi Arabia to compete in the Club World Cup.

But could Aston Villa, currently third on 35 points, be top of the Premier League tree on 25 December?

Unai Emery's in-form side might well fancy their chances, particularly as Liverpool and Arsenal meet at Anfield on 23 December.

Liverpool (37 points, 16 games): H v Man Utd - 17 Dec; H v Arsenal - 23 Dec.

Arsenal (36 points, 16 games): H v Brighton - 17 Dec; A v Liverpool - 23 Dec.

Aston Villa (35 points, 16 games): A v Brentford - 17 Dec; H v Sheff Utd - 22 Dec.

Week by week?!

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola on Sky Sports on why Erling Haaland is not in the squad: "A bone stress reaction in his foot and after the last game he felt it. He cannot play.

"I don't know [the length of the injury]. Week by week, day by day, we will see what happens.

"We play with 11 that's for sure. Erling has been so important since he's arrived that's for sure. But during the season we see this sort of thing. Injuries, suspensions, problems, we have to adapt.

"Julian Alvarez will be playing [as our centre forward]."

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender on BBC 5 Live

Aston Villa have the belief. A good bunch of players with a good manager, good fan base and confidence are very dangerous.

As a consequence they are part of the race. If they did all this and said that they weren't, 'what are you trying for?'.

When you can see the top of the league right there you are a part of it, especially come December time.

Unai Emery says it's too early to call his Aston Villa side title challengers. But is it time we started taking them seriously when it comes to the title race?

Get in touch with all your thoughts about this and anything else football-related.

Before we go any further, we need to talk about Aston Villa.

2019-20: 17th

2020-21: 11th

2021-22: 14th

2022-23: 7th

2023-24: Top 4?

Image source, .

A good day for Sheffield United on Saturday as they defeated Brentford, but both Luton and Everton have an opportunity to put some daylight between themselves and the bottom two.

West Ham United

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West Ham fan Dominic on 606: I have supported West Ham for a long time. I have never known a manager to divide the fan base like David Moyes.

The guy has worked miracles for us, I think he deserves a statue. But we are at a point where I do understand that there is a project in place at West Ham and I don't think Moyes is the man to take us forward.

I think he has taken us as far as he can.

Image source, .

After a day of high drama, Liverpool have moved above Arsenal into pole position.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa are very much in the title race.

Manchester City start seven points off the pace, with Tottenham a further three points behind.

West Ham start the day in ninth but could end it in the top six. Will that be enough to silence David Moyes' critics?

Fulham are unchanged from their 5-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest in midweek.

Fulham XI: Leno, Robinson, Bassey, Adarabioyo, Castagne, Palhinha, Cairney, Iwobi, Pereira, Willian, Jimenez.

Subs: Rodak, Tete, Reed, Wilson, Ballo-Toure, Reid, Muniz, Lukic, Vinicius.

Image source, BBC Sport

West Ham are also coming into this game off the back of a win, over Tottenham, and they've made two changes.

Aaron Cresswell and Pablo Fornals replace Emerson Palmieri and Edson Alvarez.

West Ham XI: Fabianski, Cresswell, Zouma, Aguerd, Coufal, Fornals, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus.

Subs: Anang, Mavropanos, Cornet, Ings, Emerson, Ogbonna, Berahma, Kehrer, Mubama

Image source, BBC Sport