Premier League Preview alongside FA Cup Second Round Updates plus More
Opening Thoughts
Good morning to another weekend morning. We bring you your comprehensive football live center, highlighting the day's key football action. The Premier League offers fascinating matches featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL games and cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. As always share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah commandeered the headlines even though he was absent in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive match. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's poor beginning to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other major top-flight story saw Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the top of the table.
Outside the English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls host the Hammers in a 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life under the appointment of manager Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents to nil in their recent travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two provided plenty of excitement yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.
Additional standout outcomes featured:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge defeated Stockport on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.
Today's cup schedule includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT kickoff)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
There seems to be a trio of separate battlegroups developing in this campaign's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Can any string together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday's schedule include:
Women's Super League (WSL): (All 12pm GMT unless stated)
- Leicester City v Manchester City
- London City Lionesses v Brighton & Hove Albion
- Manchester United v West Ham United
- Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
- Chelsea v Everton (2.30pm GMT)
Around the Continent:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
The Salah Debate Continues
The reaction from the Liverpool forward's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. Has he earned the right to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?
Views from supporters appears divided:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a club legend.”
“Can we pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and move to Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
Two second-tier fixtures were called off on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.
There is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.
