English top flight: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for another battle
A Mancunian rematch could be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle in west London following his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the former netted for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column attention due to a reported £65m buyout clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. However, his side are in an difficult situation, experiencing a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven to one combined over their past two matches after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet for months may prove the perfect solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for England
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break although the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he is able to give me,” stated the England coach. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Gaining the final 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup if he manages to continue his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has additional strikes compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this term on six and is anxious to add to that count as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team recently after five challenging years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures take in three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes this season this season. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The manager's squad must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from here, as well as a significant boost in performance, and the possibility arises as seven of their next 10 league games facing sides presently in the bottom half in the standings. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing against long balls and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action in a month following a groin injury during his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
