Follow the latest from Friday's Premier League news conferences
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca speaking shortly, a week after his 'worst 48 hours' comment and amid reports of him being a target for Man City in the summer
Mikel Arteta (09:30 GMT), Eddie Howe (09:30), Arne Slot (09:45) and more also speaking
Managers are going into the weekend with depleted squads after players left for the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this week
Pep Guardiola is speaking at lunchtime – Manchester City have the chance of going top of the Premier League for a few hours with West Ham their opponents on Saturday
We'll bring you all the latest team news before Gianni Buttice joins us for this week's FPL Q&A from 15:30 GMT
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Written by Ben Ramsdale, Charlotte Coates, Sarah Rendell & Karan Vinod
Newcastle v Chelsea (Sat, 12:30 GMT)
Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter
Chelsea supporters chanted for manager Enzo Maresca in the away end at Cardiff City – something that might seem surprising to non-fans.
The Italian has never appeared particularly popular at Stamford Bridge and clashed with the club last Friday when he said "many people" had caused him to endure the "worst 48 hours" since joining Chelsea.
His complaints seemed directed at the ownership and possibly the sporting directors, who he revealed on Tuesday night he had not spoken to since making his feelings public.
A previously unloved manager now appears far more appreciated. Not since fans chanted "we've got our Chelsea back" a year ago have they also sung Maresca's name. Instead, supporters had called for Jose Mourinho, and Maresca was even abused on the pitch as recently as April, when Chelsea trailed Fulham 1-0 at half-time at Craven Cottage.
Even this season, Maresca has not enjoyed much affection.
But suddenly, match-going supporters are identifying with him after his comments.
Speaking to a dozen influential fans, one said the quiet majority now feel emboldened to back Maresca more vocally, another said they are siding with the manager over the club hierarchy, and a third admitted the past two wins have helped.
It is a curious and personal shift among fans.
One supporter suggested Chelsea followers have a "self-destructive streak" after turbulent but successful years under former owner Roman Abramovich – and may even relish the animosity at the heart of the club.
Newcastle v Chelsea (Sat, 12:30 GMT)
It has been some seven days for the Chelsea boss.
Less than a week ago, after the Blues' 2-0 victory over Everton, the Italian commented that he had endured his "worst 48 hours" as Chelsea coach because "many people didn't support us."
And while those comments simmered throughout the week and began to settle after Chelsea's midweek EFL Cup quarter-final victory against Cardiff City, Maresca was in the news again on Thursday.
The Athletic's David Ornstein reported that the 45-year-old is high among the candidates to potentially replace Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola this summer.
We'll take a wild guess that that *may* come up in his news conference this morning…
Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport
While you start writing your list for the below, we need to begin previewing the first of today's news conferences – Chelsea's Enzo Maresca.
With a number of managers speaking at similar times this morning, we'll drop in any breaking news bits from elsewhere should they occur but full quotes from Maresca should be coming your way initially. Key word being should there – we know how these days like to go.
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Considering it's the last one of these before the big man comes…
If you could receive one Christmas gift for your side next week – what would it be?
A dominant number six? A redeemable gift voucher for an injury-free remainder of the season? A guaranteed three points against your rivals in the new year?
Be as weird and whacky as you want – tis the season etc.
Click 'Get Involved' to get in touch.
And here's how the Premier League table is shaping up before this weekend's fixtures.
Arsenal's gap at the top has been cut to just two points over the last few weeks with Manchester City just behind, while Aston Villa and Chelsea make up the top four.
Despite pushing the leaders all the way last time out, Wolves remain rooted to the table and without a win while Burnley and West Ham complete the bottom three.
All kick-off times in GMT…
Premier League
A full calendar of fixtures this weekend, starting on Saturday lunchtime and ending on Monday evening.
There are just two games across Sunday and Monday with a jam-packed Saturday in store in the Premier League.
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Fourteen Premier League news conferences to bring you today and it's a busy morning in store with Enzo Maresca, Mikel Arteta and Arne Slot among those speaking before 10am.
*Embargoed quotes from Thursday evening
Hello, welcome along!
It's the final Friday before Christmas.
And I've only just realised that as typing it out so now I'm panicking!
But no time to panic because we've got a busy day of Premier League news conferences to bring you today.
Kicking off in the next hour, we'll be running all the way through until 17:00 today so strap yourselves in.
First up, a preview of what's to come today on this page and this weekend in the Premier League.
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