English top flight: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown may be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before chipping a ball toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the youngster netted for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete transfer speculation treatment due to a claimed £65m release clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable for a wide player with six goals and three helpers and is joyous to watch. However, his side are in an difficult spot, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate over their previous two matches after an promising start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa but facing a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox striker position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally over every other English performer in the top flight this season on six and is keen to boost that total as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. Fulham's next four fixtures include three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores this season so far. Danger looms for a team that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's team need a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from their current spot, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity arises with seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures against teams currently in the bottom half of the table. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not featured at club level over four weeks following a groin problem while his second consecutive start in four days in Europe win abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
