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'We are not there'

Chelsea v Aston Villa (13:30 GMT)

Chelsea

Are Chelsea serious contenders for the title?

Not according to boss Enzo Maresca, whose side will go level on 25 points with second-placed Arsenal if they beat Aston Villa.

"No," said the Italian when asked if Chelsea were in the race for the title. "I said many times - I didn't like the pressure. I didn't like to say yes we are there, but we are not there."

Sunday roast at 11am

Tottenham v Fulham (13.30 GMT)

Emma Smith

BBC Sport at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

A spirited debate in the Spurs press area earlier as to which Premier League club has the best pre-match catering. The consensus is that it is a north London rivalry between Spurs and Arsenal as to who provides the best food for the hacks.

Today it's a Sunday dinner spread of roast chicken and Yorkshire pudding, although the earlier kick off means it is being served several hours before when is traditional.

Not that we are complaining - it's a miserable, rainy day in London, so a warming roast at 11am was just what was needed.

Amorim coaching at every opportunity

Man Utd v Everton (13:30 GMT)

Shamoon Hafez

BBC Sport football news reporter at Old Trafford

There's a stark contrast in the warm-ups deployed by Ruben Amorim and former boss Erik ten Hag.

You often saw the Manchester United players laying the ball off and taking pot shots at goalkeeper Andre Onana.

The Red Devils number one has not had a single ball fired at him so far.

The starting line-up are set-up to work in different patterns, defenders in bibs looking to repel the midfielders and attackers.

It's clear having joined in mid-season during the busiest period of the campaign where there will be limited time on the training ground, Amorim will need every opportunity to coach the players as they look to learn and instil his methods and the 3-5-2 formation.

Sutton's prediction

Man Utd v Everton (13:30 GMT)

Chris Sutton

Former Premier League striker

There has been so much hype, or even over-hype, about Manchester United, and I feel a bit sorry for their new manager Ruben Amorim because he needs time, and two or three transfer windows, to put things right.

There was a lot of excitement over the way they started his first game in charge, against Ipswich, but blimey you have got a problem if the Tractor Boys are out-playing you, which is what happened in the end.

Things got worse for Amorim when Ed Sheeran interrupted his interview on Sky afterwards. I have to give credit to commentator Conor McNamara here, but maybe it is time for Amorim to listen to one of Sheeran’s biggest hits and think about 'the shape of Man U'.

I think the reality is hitting home about Amorim using his favoured 3-4-3 formation with their current squad - especially with Christian Eriksen and Casemiro in midfield.

Once the initial buzz of Amorim’s first home game dies down, things could go flat at Old Trafford, the way it has done quite a lot recently.

I hope it happens for them under Amorim because he seems like a decent guy, but he is in the Manchester United madhouse now and he is about to find out what it is like to be under the microscope every single week.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Everton 'working constantly' on scoring more - Dyche

Man Utd v Everton (13:30 GMT)

Everton

Everton have only scored 10 goals so far in the Premier League this season, a joint-low alongside bottom-placed Southampton.

The Toffees currently sit 15th, just two points above the relegation places.

"You work with them constantly on goal threat and it's not just the strikers," said boss Sean Dyche.

"A lot was made of our set-pieces and that's still absolutely valid. We want to be a threat from those and [also see] how many different ways we can affect the opposition from open play.

"We found it tough against a compact defence against Brentford - when they went down to 10 men, we couldn't find those key moments.

"We've obviously made a considerable difference to the defending stats from the opening part of the season, and then it's finding that balance between defending well as a team and attacking well as a team."

'If you are not buying into Amorim's style, you are off'

Man Utd v Everton (13:30 GMT)

Gemma Fay

Former Scotland goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

It seems pretty clear that, even though Ruben Amorim has only had two games, that if you're not buying into his style then you're off.

It will fit some of them. Even though Bodo/Glimt weren't the best team, Rasmus Hojlund looked excellent in midweek and you started to see a little bit more of the flowing/attacking style.

It is more perhaps the defensive style of things. He is going to have to get to the January transfer window and bring in a couple of players that can play that defensive shape a little bit better for him.

'Amorim's impact will be seen over a longer period'

Man Utd v Everton (13:30 GMT)

Brian Barry-Murphy

Former Manchester City EDS manager on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think Ruben Amorim is an incredible coach and an incredible guy but that squad is going to take a lot of time to evolve and I think his impact will be seen over a longer period.

The contrast between what he is and what he stands for and what they have displayed over a period of time is significantly different and it will be interesting to see what he can do with certain players that have been a problem in that system.

It will be a long haul for those guys because I think the squad is so far behind where they need to be.

'Emotional' Amorim will be 'honest and direct' with fans

Man Utd v Everton (13:30 GMT)

Manchester United

New Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has admitted he'll be honest and direct with supporters, after being asked if he already feels a connection with them.

"Yes for sure, I feel that," Amorim told Football Focus. "Maybe because I'm a little bit of an emotional person. I can transmit that, even in interviews, I think.

"Maybe because I am different from the last coach and this can bring a different connection with the next guy.

"I believe that I am the right guy. People always believe the next guy is the right guy. We always have this feeling.

"To maintain this feeling, we have to play better and win games and be really honest with the supporters.

"If you are honest and direct with the supporters - maybe you don't always say the popular thing - you can create a better connection."

Read more from Amorim's interview with Football Focus.

'It is very stale at Everton'

Man Utd v Everton (13:30 GMT)

Fara Williams

Former England midfielder to BBC Sport

Everton did not really refresh the squad in the summer and when you have been in a relegation battle for the past couple of seasons, it is nice to get a couple of new signings that are going to lift the squad.

The fact that they were not able to do that makes it difficult for players that are already there and ones who have been there a long time.

Sometimes, to actually get relegated and then promoted can give you that winning feeling back. Of course that is something that Everton as a club would not want, but having not been able to refresh, as a club they feel quite stale.

The takeover makes it interesting as The Friedkin Group seem to be owners that are not shy to change managers. I think the sensible thing for them to do, with the move to the new stadium in the summer as well, would be to keep Sean Dyche in charge, at least until the end of the season.

He is a manager capable of keeping the team up. The expectation will be to stay in the Premier League and then they can reassess everything in the summer.

The players just look like they are going through the motions right now. It is very stale at Everton and it has been like that for quite a while. It is sad to see that for such a big club when they have got such a lot to look forward to.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says he is "planning for every scenario" in the January transfer window - highlighting that two of his unused substitutes in Thursday's Europa League draw with Roma were 16-year-old schoolboys.

Defender Malachi Hardy and midfielder Luca Williams-Barnett, have yet to sign their professional deals and attended school on Friday after sitting on the Spurs bench during Thursday night's 2-2 draw with Roma.

Tottenham is one of several clubs competing in the Premier League and Europe with a squad stretched by injuries.

Postecoglou was asked to appraise his team's season so far, lying sixth in the league before ninth-placed Fulham visit Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday (13:30 GMT).

"Again, we had four school boys on the bench (including Callum Olusesi and Maeson King) last night, two of them were actually at school this morning," he said.

"We are working pretty hard with some pretty limiting factors, and we are still maintaining competitiveness in the competitions that we are in.

"We are in a good place to get to the next round and had to deal with some adversity. I think so far our season has been solid.

"It has obviously had some extremes which taints people’s picture of where we are at. I always try to step back and take a broader view."

Spurs are currently without seven players, including defender Cristian Romero who Postecoglou says is "close but unlikely" to return to face Fulham.

Micky van de Ven (hamstring) and teenager Mikey Moore (ill) could return before January, with Rodrigo Bentancur currently suspended until Boxing Day for a racial slur, pending an appeal to reduce a seven-game ban.

When asked whether transfer activity in January was the answer, the Australian coach said he's had a "number of meetings" with technical director Johan Lange for a "strategy in January".

Postecoglou added: "A lot of it will depend on where we are as a squad at that time.

"Between now and then, it is only really Romero and Van de Ven who will be back in that time frame, but Richarlison will hopefully be back in the New Year and we will just assess where we are squad wise.

"I think last year we did a little bit of business [Radu Dragusin and Timo Werner] which ended up helping us, but nothing concrete now because January is always tricky."

This is the first ever meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Roma – Spurs have lost just one of their 10 home games against Italian sides in all competitions (W5 D4), going down 2-1 against Juventus in March 2018.

Roma have won just one of their 23 away games against English sides in all competitions (D8 L14), and are winless in 15 since a 1-0 win at Liverpool in February 2001.

Tottenham Hotspur have won their last seven home matches in the UEFA Europa League without conceding a single goal while scoring 19 goals themselves.

Roma have completed the most passes (2,199) in the UEFA Europa League this season, although they’ve only netted three goals. Among teams to score at least once, only Ludogorets (one goal for every 1,096 successful passes) have a worse goal per successful pass ratio than Roma (one every 733 passes).

Brennan Johnson has been directly involved in three goals in four UEFA Europa League games for Tottenham this season (2 goals, 1 assist), the most by a Welsh player in a campaign in the competition since Gareth Bale in 2020-21, also for Spurs (3 goals, 1 assist).

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will be out for "months, not weeks" with an ankle injury, Ange Postecoglou has confirmed.

Vicario had surgery after playing 60 minutes with a broken ankle against Manchester City on Saturday.

The 28-year-old needed treatment in the first half following a collision with City winger Savinho, but went on to play the full game as Tottenham won 4-0.

"We saw he picked up an injury during the game and he was sore at half-time, but there was no doubt about him continuing," Spurs boss Postecoglou said.

"It is a testament to him as a person. He is as tough as nails, as tough as they come.

"It's a blow but we've dealt with setbacks before and we'll deal with this one."

The Italy keeper has missed just four matches since joining from Empoli in June 2023 - none of them in the Premier League.

"The fact he played at that level for 60-odd minutes with a fractured ankle was quite outstanding," Postecoglou added.

"Irrespective of the injury, it was a really outstanding performance. Taking that into context, it's certainly one for the record books at this club in terms of outstanding performances."

Fraser Forster, 36, has deputised on all four occasions that Vicario has been absent, including a Carabao Cup win at Coventry in September and Europa League ties against AZ Alkmaar and Galatasaray.

Postecoglou gave his backing to Forster and ruled out signing a free agent to fill in for Vicario.

He also said the injury "doesn't change our plans" for the January transfer window.

"That's not going to happen - I don't think signing a free agent now is going to help us," Postecoglou added.

"Fraser, I've known for a long time. He's such a strong character in the group and always ready to play."

Spurs, who are fifth in the Premier League, host Roma in the Europa League on Thursday before facing Fulham on Sunday.

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is set for a spell on the sidelines after having surgery on a fractured ankle.

The 28-year-old sustained the injury during Saturday's 4-0 Premier League win at Manchester City, though he played the full match.

Spurs have not put a timescale on Vicario's recovery and say he will be assessed by the club's medical staff to determine when he can resume training.

The Italy keeper has missed just four matches since joining from Empoli in June 2023 - none of them in the Premier League.

Fraser Forster, 36, has deputised on all four occasions, including a Carabao Cup win at Coventry in September and Europa League ties against AZ Alkmaar and Galatasaray.

Ange Postecoglou's side are sixth in the Premier League after Saturday's win over champions City at Etihad Stadium.

They are seventh in the Europa League table with three wins and one defeat from their opening four games.

Would the real Tottenham Hotspur please stand up?

Last week I saw the best of Spurs on the pitch and the worst of them off it.

The club's handling of the Rodrigo Bentancur situation – particularly the decision to appeal the seven-match ban issued by the Football Association – does not sit well with many Spurs fans, myself included.

I have loved this joyous, heartbreaking, entertaining, infuriating, depressing, exciting and beautiful game since I could walk.

I spent the best part of a decade coaching football and, perhaps partly because of that, I am convinced by its power and potential to create positive social change far beyond the confines of a football pitch.

So it pains me that my beloved club has not made the most of this recent opportunity to prioritise and promote the value of education, and the importance and necessity of active anti-racism – instead deciding to double-down on their efforts to reduce a ban by one match.

I am hopeful that the right things – such as supporting player welfare and education on anti-racism – are being done behind the scenes as well, but it does not diminish my embarrassment in my club’s very public refusal to accept the ban in its entirety.

Having done such a good job of disappointing me off the pitch last week, I was fully prepared for Spurs to embarrass me on it against Manchester City. Silly me.

We did not just beat City on Sunday – we humiliated them in their own home. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski battled it out for player of the match, Vicario was immense in goal, and our make-shift defence kept out Erling Haaland.

Naturally, as a lifelong Spurs fan, I did not fully relax until the fourth goal went in.

Which version of Spurs decides to show up against Roma is anyone’s guess.

Former Premier League defender Ashley Williams on Tottenham's win at Manchester City on Match of the Day:

"Magnificent performance from Spurs. City started well and they had to weather the storm but they were so brave in and out of possession. It was total dominance. They had a really good day.

"They didn't just hoof the ball up the pitch, they tried to get Manchester City to commit up to the ball to create situations to break. Out of possession they were equally as brave, they forced mistakes.

"For Spurs to go to Manchester City and play like that - it was a complete performance. Individually and as a team they just completely outplayed City.

"You can see the counter-attacks - they had the most this season and that goes to show they were switched on defensively and had willing runners going forward. An excellent day for Spurs."

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou says he is not interested in how the decision to appeal against Rodrigo Bentacur's seven-game domestic ban for a racist slur looks to the outside world.

The Australian manager said he has "made worse mistakes" and believes education is the way forward with the 27-year-old midfielder, rather than a "harsh" punishment.

Spurs are hoping to have the Uruguayan's ban reduced from seven games to the six-game minimum for a discrimination-related offence.

When asked whether the decision to appeal against the ban is a "bad look", Postecoglou said: "I'm not interested in looks and whatever people... I've said all along he's made a mistake, we accept whatever penalty comes his way, but we believe the first one was a little bit harsh.

"We've appealed against that which we believe is our right if you look at the whole process. If you look at it, it's already at the low end of the scale.

"I get that people want to burn people at the stake these days but part of the process, if you want real education and progress, is to understand when somebody makes a mistake. Part of that is education and hopefully seeing that's the way forward.

"Whether it is Rodrigo, or anyone else, as I've said, I am old enough to say I've made mistakes worse than that in life, mate, but I've learned from them and hopefully I am a better human being from that."

The ban means Betancur is currently suspended from domestic matches until 26 December.

He will miss Premier League games against Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea among others, plus Tottenham's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United, but is available for Europa League matches.

But if the ban is reduced, Bentancur could return a game early to face Liverpool.

When pressed on whether it is worth going through the process to reduce the ban by one game, Postecoglou added: "It is worth it because that's what we feel.

"Our view was that it was harsh, it should have been the minimum and we will go through that process and if it is deemed not then we will accept that."

Postecoglou also revealed vice-captain Cristian Romero has toe injury and is unavailable for the visit to Manchester City on Saturday, along with Richarlison, Mickey Moore, Wilson Odobert, Micky Van de Ven.

Premier League football returns this weekend and Tottenham travel to reigning champions Manchester City on Saturday. With City fresh from the positive news that boss Pep Guardiola is staying for another two years, can Spurs get a result?

"After the Galatasaray and Ipswich defeats, we are suddenly back to Spurs being in crisis," said The Telegraph's Luke Edwards on BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "There is a little bit of pressure building again around them and on Ange Postecoglou because of his methods.

"There are also rumours about his relationships with players and how he has supposedly fallen out with vice-captain James Maddison.

"But you always get those stories after bad results!

"I really enjoy watching Spurs because you don't know what you are going to get. They are the most fun team to watch in the Premier League because they will always try and score goals.

"It can be a bit kamikaze because they take risks and leave themselves exposed, but when they get it right, they are capable of beating anyone.

"So in that sense their unpredictability makes them weirdly beautiful."

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is an "outstanding person" who made a "mistake" with the racial slur made against team-mate Son Heung-min.

The Uruguay international, 27, was banned for seven matches by the Football Association earlier this week, following the comments he made while appearing on Uruguayan television in June.

Spurs have appealed against the ban, saying they accept the guilty finding but not the severity of the punishment.

"I fully support the club's decision to appeal the severity of the ban," Postecoglou told Sky Sports, external.

"I spoke to him in the lead-up [to the FA's decision] and as I said he understands he's made a mistake and he's prepared to accept whatever penalty comes his way.

"We as a club are going to support him because the one thing that's undeniable to me - because I know him - is that he's an outstanding person, an unbelievable team-mate and a person of the utmost character that's made a mistake."