🔗 Share this article

Opening Thoughts

Good morning to another weekend morning. This is your all-in-one matchday coverage center, highlighting today's key football fixtures. England's top division presents fascinating contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games and FA Cup second round excitement completes the lineup. We encourage get in touch and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight even though he not featuring in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable critique on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” after being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. He expressed that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing start to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other significant Premier League development was the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close battle at the top of the standings.

Outside the English football, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton welcome West Ham for an 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of life under the appointment of head coach Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the league, having defeated three opponents to nil in their recent away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup round two provided plenty of drama yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.

Other notable outcomes included:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.

Today's FA Cup action features:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

There seems to be three separate battlegroups developing in this season's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing 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, today's fixtures feature:

Women's Top Flight: (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 reaction from the Liverpool forward's comments rages on. There are two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a true club icon? Or is manager Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?

Views from supporters appears split:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a club legend.”

“Can we pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to another European club? Might he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of second-tier matches were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later confirmed 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 – made the field unplayable.

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