With 10 top-flight goal contributions between them across three games already this season, the Chelsea trio of Morgan Rogers, João Pedro and Cole Palmer are the early pace-setters for the Premier League’s most prolific, fluid and high octane attacking unit. But on the occasion of his 100th Premier League appearance, a scruffier and more ungainly unit will be hoping to steal their thunder, as high-flying Hull try to register a top-flight win against Chelsea for the very first time. Yet to score this season but with a couple of near-misses to his name, what Oli McBurnie has thus far lacked in goal contributions he has more than made up for with selfless graft and off-the-ball grunt work, making a total mockery of Steve Clarke’s decision not to include him in Scotland’s World Cup squad.
The Hull striker ought to prove a real handful for a decidedly porous home defence, and a goal would be a fitting way to mark a century of Premier League appearances. Chelsea have not won any of their past four league matches against promoted opposition and given Hull’s blistering start to the season, victory on Saturday seems anything but a foregone conclusion. Barry Glendenning This might be an opportune moment for Álvaro Arbeloa to meet Andoni Iraola, though perhaps not his Liverpool team.
With three defeats from his first three Premier League games as Fulham head coach, and seven goals conceded, questions are already being asked over the former Liverpool defender’s ambitious approach. Just as they were when Iraola failed to win any of his first nine league games in charge of Bournemouth. Trust yourself and the process, might be the Liverpool head coach’s advice if asked.
Fulham have been creative under Arbeloa but are easily exposed defensively. Liverpool, starting to click in attack under their new manager, have the assets to exploit Fulham’s weaknesses and subject Arbeloa to an uncomfortable Anfield return. Iraola’s wide options could be reduced, however, with Bradley Barcola suffering cramp on Wednesday – his first start since France’s World Cup semi-final loss – and Cody Gakpo nursing a minor injury.
Andy Hunter Cheick Doucouré has had a rotten run of luck with injuries. Just when the Mali midfielder looked as if he was ready to make a first Crystal Palace appearance since January 2025 in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win over Middlesbrough, he was taken ill. Pierre Sage revealed last week that Doucouré looked as if he had “given him one million dollars” when he was informed he would be part of the matchday squad at Fulham, where Palace got off the mark with a 3-2 victory.
Sage has confirmed that the 26-year-old, who has been sidelined with two serious knee injuries but was once a transfer target for Liverpool, could be involved against Ipswich at Selhurst Park on Saturday. Whenever he does return it is sure to be a heartwarming moment. Ed Aarons The midfield battle between Brentford and Bournemouth will be crucial on Saturday with Vitaly Janelt and Mamadou Sangaré setting the tempo for Keith Andrews’ physical side.
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