English top flight: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh clash
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is adapting well in west London after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the youngster netted for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill attention following a claimed £65m release clause for his possible January departure, the tabloids positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an tricky position, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate in their past two fixtures after an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet confronting a defensive unit lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker an outside option for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I know what he could give me,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional No 9 position.” Gaining the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally over every other English performer in the Premier League this campaign on six and will be keen to increase that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side last year after five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four matches feature three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes this season so far. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's side require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility arises as seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus sides presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus direct play and fast breaks that remains in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent at club level in a month after picking up a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
