Premier League Preview alongside Football Association Cup Round Two Updates plus Additional Coverage
Preamble
Good morning to another weekend day. We bring you your all-in-one matchday coverage hub, centering on today's key football action. England's top division offers intriguing matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish clash between Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL action and FA Cup second round excitement completes the lineup. Feel free to get in touch telling us how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines even though he was absent in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an stunning attack on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” following omission from the starting lineup for the third straight game. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing beginning to the campaign.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another significant Premier League story saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, combined with City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the summit of the table.
Away from the English football, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton welcome West Ham in a afternoon kickoff. West Ham have displayed signs of life since the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest away fixtures.
The FA Cup Second Round
The FA Cup round two delivered lots of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.
Additional standout results featured:
- Swindon hammered Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Sunday's FA Cup action features:
- 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 three separate mini-leagues forming in this season's Premier League.
- The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the top prize.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Will any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, Sunday's fixtures feature:
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)
European Football:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star
The fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is boss Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?
Fan opinion appears divided:
“United fan here. 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.”
“Perhaps we should pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of Championship fixtures were called off yesterday.
- The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when these matches will be replayed.
