Leeds United have the daunting prospect of welcoming Manchester City to Elland Road when they return to action in the Premier League on December 28.
The Whites' domestic restart preparations have seen them travel out to Spain, where they faced off against La Liga side Elche, in a game they won 2-1.
On Friday night, they will continue their City prep with a clash against Real Sociedad at Elland Road, with the Basque side currently sitting third in La Liga.
READ MORE: Leeds United supporters react to Julian Alvarez's World Cup heroics as Man City clash looms
And Jesse Marsch's side wrap up their winter pre-season with a visit from Monaco to Elland Road next week. But how have the rest of Leeds' Premier League rivals faired in their restart preparations? Here's how...
Aston Villa
Unai Emery's Aston Villa have played three friendlies so far during the World Cup break, facing off against Cardiff City (3-1 loss), Brighton & Hove Albion (2-2 draw) and Chelsea (1-0 win).
They face off against La Liga side Villarreal on Thursday, December 15, before playing a final friendly at Villa Park this weekend. Their opponents for that final friendly are yet to be confirmed.
At the World Cup, Villa had four players. Matty Cash and Jan Bednarek featured for Poland whilst Leander Dendoncker was part of Belgium's campaign. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez will play in the final for Argentina.
Leicester City
Leicester City have played just one friendly during the World Cup break, which saw them draw 0-0 with French side Troyes. Their first game back in action could serve as a warm-up match, with Brendan Rodgers side in action in the Carabao Cup on 20 December against MK Dons.
The Foxes had seven players away in Qatar. James Maddison was selected in Gareth Southgate's England squad while Danny Ward featured for Wales.
Timothy Castagne, Youri Tielemans and Wout Faes were all part of Belgium's squad, with Nampalys Mendy featuring four times for Senegal. Daniel Amartey appeared for Ghana.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth have not played any friendlies over the course of the World Cup break. They have been training out in Dubai under Gary O'Neil, who has been appointed the Cherries boss permanently after an interim period.
Their first game back is against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup. And they had two players away at the World Cup with Wales in the form of Chris Mepham and Kieffer Moore.
West Ham United
David Moyes' West Ham have played two games during the World Cup break, beating Cambridge United 4-2 and Udinese 3-1. The Hammers had five players away at the World Cup. Lucas Paqueta played for Brazil, Declan Rice featured for England while Thilo Kehrer was part of Germany's squad.
Alphonse Areola and Nayef Aguerd were selected for the France and Morocco squad's respectively, who faced off against each other in the World Cup semi-final.
Everton
Everton have played two friendlies out in Australia during the World Cup break against Celtic (0-0 draw, won 4-2 on penalties) and Western Sydney Wanderers (won 5-1).
The Toffees had four players at the World Cup, with Jordan Pickford and Conor Coady a part of the England squad, while Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye represented Belgium and Senegal respectively.
Nottingham Forest
Steve Cooper's Nottingham Forest have lost all three of their friendlies so far during the World Cup winter break. They have faced off against Stoke City (1-0 loss), Atromitos (3-2 loss) and Olympiacos (1-0 loss).
Their final pre-Premier League restart friendly sees them take on La Liga side Valencia out in Spain on Friday. Forest had five players at the World Cup in Welsh trio Brennan Johnson, Wayne Hennessey, Neco Williams, as well as Cheikhou Kouyate and Remo Freuler, who featured for Senegal and Switzerland.
Southampton
Southampton have not played a single friendly during the World Cup break. They did however appoint former Luton Town boss Nathan Jones to replace Ralph Hasenhuttl.
The Saints have spent the winter break out training in Spain at a resort in Andalucia. They had two players at the World Cup, with Armel Bella-Kotchap and Mohammed Salisu being selected for Germany and Ghana respectively.
Wolves
Wolves have played one friendly so far, which they drew against Empoli. They do have one more friendly to play before their December 20 Carabao Cup clash against Gillingham, which will see them play Cadiz in Spain.
They had five players away at the World Cup. Jose Sa, Matheus Nunes and Ruben Neves were all part of Portugal's squad, while Hwang Hee-Chan played a part in South Korea's World Cup campaign. Raul Jimenez was part of Mexico's World Cup squad.
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