Amorim faces crunch clash, Premier League buildup and more – matchday live

<p>⚽ News, previews and discussion before the action starts<br>⚽ <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/fixtures">Fixtures</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/tables">Tables</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/oct/03/bournemouth-fulham-premier-league-match-report">Bournemouth go second</a> | And <a href="mailto:matchday.live@theguardian.com">mail us</a></p><p>Jean-Philippe Mateta has described his first call-up to the senior France squad as “a dream come true” after the Crystal Palace striker was selected by Didier Deschamps for the World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland.</p><p>The 28-year-old was one of France’s overage players at last year’s Olympics and scored five goals as Thierry Henry’s side won a silver medal. Mateta, who played the first half of Palace’s win over Dynamo Kyiv on Thursday night in Poland, has also represented <em>Les Bleus</em> at various youth levels.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2025/oct/04/amorim-faces-crunch-clash-premier-league-buildup-and-more-matchday-live">Continue reading...</a>