Image source, Getty Images

We'll take a look at the many other games coming up today through the day but our focus starts with Newcastle versus Chelsea, and there's plenty to talk about.

Blues boss Enzo Maresca has been in the headlines this week, appearing to have become unhappy at Chelsea, while he has been linked with succeeding Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Maresca became Chelsea boss in June 2024 and has a contract running until 2029, with an option to extend by a further season.

When asked recently whether there was any truth to the reports linking him with a role at City, the Italian said: "It doesn't affect me at all because I know that is 100% speculation. And at this moment, there is no time for these kind of things.

"First of all, because I have a contract here until 2029 probably. And my focus, I said many times, is just about this club and I'm very proud to be here. But again, it's speculation. One week ago I was in Italy, the same with Juventus. So I don't pay attention because I know that is not true.

"It's important to understand why this news was there but it is just speculation."

Ciaran Kelly
BBC Sport reporter at St James' Park

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United bounced back from their damaging derby defeat at Sunderland by reaching the Carabao Cup semi-finals midweek.

But there is work to do yet - and players and staff need no reminding of that.

“By no means are we off the hook with the performance we gave in the derby,” forward Jacob Murphy writes in his programme notes ahead of the visit of Chelsea. “There is still a lot of repayment to be done.”

Chelsea will be wary of those words.

As poor as Newcastle have been away from home, as much as this side have been hit by injuries to goalkeeper Nick Pope and defenders Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Sven Botman and Tino Livramento, these are the sorts of games this side have tended to relish on their own turf under Eddie Howe.

In fact, league leaders Arsenal and champions Liverpool are the only members of the established order who have triumphed at St James' Park since the start of last season.

Twelfth-placed Newcastle will need that big-game spirit if they are to kickstart their Premier League campaign.

The festive football fun begins with a kick off at 12:30 GMT and stretches all the way through to games starting at 20:00.

Here's what's coming up:

Image source, Getty Images

The weekend before Christmas is notoriously busy as people begin their holidays and/or are out shopping for last-minute presents.

The festive fixture list is also a busy one with eight games coming up today.

Expect plenty of goals, along with plenty of talking points.