English top flight: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for another encounter
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet in west London following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his skills in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to chipping a ball toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation attention following a alleged £65m escape clause for a possible mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable from a winger with six goals and three setups and is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an difficult spot, having undergone a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games in their previous two matches after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa but facing a defence without a goalless game since August may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside option for England
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he can offer me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional striker role.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can maintain his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes over every other English player in the Premier League this campaign with six and remains anxious to boost that total as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team last year after five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four games feature three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a side that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for The striker to perform for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's squad require a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from here, plus a major upturn in results, and the possibility emerges as seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing sides at the moment in the lower half of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that remains in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent for his club for a month having sustained a groin problem during his second start over a short period in continental competition triumph abroad. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match would have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
