English top flight: 10 things to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another battle
A Mancunian rematch may be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is adapting well in west London following his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his talents in the Wolves match before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before lofting a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the former found the net for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation attention following a claimed £65m buyout clause for his potential January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an awkward situation, experiencing a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games in their previous two games after an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet taking on a defence without a clean sheet since August could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” said the England boss. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional centre-forward role.” Having won the final 42 caps several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup provided he can maintain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally over every other English player in the top flight this term on six and remains eager to add to that count as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side last year after five tough years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures take in three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for The striker to produce for the Merseyside club
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's team must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from here, as well as a significant upturn in results, and a chance arises with seven of their following ten Premier League matches facing teams at the moment in the lower half of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against aerial passes and quick transitions that is in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent for his club for a month after picking up a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League triumph in Germany. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking in that match might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
