Ruben Amorim Confronts Crucial Fixture, Premier League Buildup and More

Paris FC are performing rather well in Ligue 1. The newcomers in the league in the top tier of football in France defeated their opponents 2-0 yesterday evening… they might not yet be ready to compete with their renowned local rivals, but it's probable they'll avoid relegation – as three victories from their first seven matches since promotion indicates.

Across European leagues yesterday there were 1-0 away wins for Sassuolo at Verona and the German club at Hoffenheim. The Spanish outfit snatched a last-minute 2-1 victory over Getafe in La Liga.

I found particularly engaging this column by Barney Ronay, who raises an interesting question: what do you actually know about Florian Wirtz. The eighth highest-priced footballer in history has made an inauspicious beginning at Liverpool but is it shocking considering his massive transfer fee?

It's important to consider the big fixtures outside the Premier League today. Manchester City v Arsenal at noon (BST) is the main event in the WSL; both teams has performed optimally since the season started and that looks a tough game to call. The Edinburgh derby is always big in Scottish football but today’s Edinburgh derby (5.45pm) assumes even greater importance given that Hearts are leading of the Scottish top flight. Celtic don’t play until Sunday.

In Spain, Los Blancos welcome the Yellow Submarine at 8pm with early campaign leaders Barcelona taking on Sevilla on Sunday. Borussia Dortmund v RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt v Bayern Munich are key encounters in the German league. Serie A’s main event comes tomorrow evening with the giant clash between Juventus and AC Milan at one of the continent's numerous Allianz arenas.

Hearts fans, get in touch: you could see your side extend their lead to five points at the top with victory today!

An early email has landed in my mail from a reader:

“Hello Dominic. Has Pope Leo communicated with Amorim? Do we anticipate a decent fight or another poor display?

“That makes me wonder – who will go first Ange or Ruben?”

I would have thought Postecoglou will get some time to bed in his ideas at Nottingham Forest, whereas defeat to Sunderland today could mean major problems for Amorim.

Yesterday evening wasn’t just about Antoine Semenyo netting a brace to enhance all FPL teams (except mine). The ‘Hollywood derby’ in the second tier ended 1-1 between the Welsh side and the Blues while on-form United halted the London club's 100% beginning to the WSL season as they drew 1-1 at their ground. Marc Skinner’s team are now just two points off the WSL summit having begun the campaign impressively.

The Cottagers will be questioning exactly what occurred with them at the Bournemouth's ground last night. When Ryan Sessegnon put them into the front 20 minutes from the end, their manager's team were in a commanding spot, only to be undone by a last-gasp Bournemouth onslaught, which included the striker's double and a Justin Kluivert scorcher from 25 yards.

Jean-Philippe Mateta has described his first call-up to the French national team as “a dream come true” after the Palace forward was chosen by Didier Deschamps for the qualifying matches against Azerbaijan and the Nordic side.

The player in his late twenties was one of France’s overage players at last year’s Olympic Games and netted a handful of strikes as the coach's side won a silver medal. He, who featured the opening period of his club's win over Dynamo Kyiv on Thursday night in the host country, has also played for The French team at multiple junior categories.

He disclosed that he had watched the team selection with his fellow Frenchman the defender in his hotel room in the city after the Palace defender had a hunch that the ex-Ligue 1 player's time had come.

“I am extremely pleased; it’s like a dream come true,” stated Mateta. “I wish to remain a long time with this team and assist them to succeed. I watched it on TV. Lacroix said: ‘Today they will call.’ He came to my room and we viewed simultaneously the list. Didier Deschamps was talking and he uttered the player's name. He always told me to put in effort and you will get the invitation. I continued striving and I got the call-up.”

Asked whether participating in national team duty could help his form at his club, he commented: “Should I feature, I hope to contribute to the team with the national side to win. Naturally, I will come back with confidence. I always have self-belief. I think it'll provide me additional assurance.”

Good morning all! The Premier League schedule never stops and the Cherries' stylish win over Fulham yesterday got this matchday off to a riproaring beginning. The forward, well… what a player.

Anyway, we’re building up to the weekend's fixtures, typically, on Matchday Live, the preview-focused football blog where we encourage you to get in touch with your opinions, comments, predictions and whatever else you're anticipating for this footballing Saturday.

In terms of matches, Leeds v Tottenham is the first Premier League game, along with several fixtures in the second division, while Arsenal v West Ham and Manchester United v Sunderland are the 3pm contests. Can the Hammers' boss revive the London club at the Emirates? And will there be more trouble for Ruben Amorim against the high-flying Sunderland? The late fixture of Chelsea versus Liverpool should be equally intriguing, with Arne Slot aiming to prevent a third straight loss and the Blues' manager looking to avoid a third consecutive top division setback. Thus, there's current performance.

As our journalists dropping in insights and updates from various locations, there's a lot to stay tuned for. Let’s get going…