Top Flight Build-up and Football Association Cup Round Two Latest News and More

Opening Thoughts

Morning everyone to another Sunday morning. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live hub, focusing on today's major football fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing contests between Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action and cup second round drama completes the lineup. We encourage get in touch and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah grabbed the headlines despite did not play in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning attack on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” following omission from the first eleven for the third straight game. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing start to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another significant top-flight story saw Arsenal's injury-time loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emi BuendĂ­a's decisive strike. That result, combined with City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight battle at the summit of the table.

Away from English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton welcome West Ham for an afternoon kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the appointment of head coach Nuno EspĂ­rito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup second round provided plenty of excitement on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.

Other notable outcomes featured:

  • Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
  • Cambridge United defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
  • Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Today's cup action features:

  • Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
  • Boreham Wood v Newport County
  • Gateshead v Walsall
  • Blackpool v Carlisle United

The Premier League's Three Tiers

There seems to be three separate mini-leagues forming in this season's top flight.

  1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the championship.
  2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any put together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
  3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Away from the English top flight and domestic cup, today'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 explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?

Views from supporters appears divided:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Can we take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

Two Championship matches were abandoned on Saturday.

  • The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter died in hospital.
  • Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the field unsuitable.

There is no confirmation on when either game will be replayed.

Cynthia Robinson
Cynthia Robinson

A seasoned sports analyst with over a decade of experience in betting markets and statistical modeling.