English top flight: 10 things to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Manchester United and showcased his abilities against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to dinking a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger key to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill attention due to a claimed £65m escape clause for a potential mid-season move, the media positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and is delightful to watch. However, his team occupy an tricky spot, experiencing a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one combined in their past two games after an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit without a goalless game for months might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the national team
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he can give me,” said the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional striker role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup provided he can sustain his scoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes over every other English footballer in the Premier League this season having six and is keen to boost that count as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back required as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club last year following five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man last season, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four matches take in three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's side require a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from here, along with a significant boost in performance, and a chance emerges as seven out of their next 10 league games versus sides currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display against direct play and fast breaks that will be in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not featured for his club in a month after picking up a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition win in Germany. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
