English top flight: ten key points to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another battle
A Mancunian rematch may be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his skills against Wolves prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to lofting a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation focus following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a possible mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three setups who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an tricky spot, having engaged in a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined over their last two games following an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but taking on a backline lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I understand what he can provide,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional striker position.” Earning the final 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup if he manages to maintain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals than any other English footballer in the top flight this term with six and will be anxious to add to that total when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side last year after five difficult years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer last season, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' following four matches take in three among the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the league this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for The striker to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's team must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, along with a major improvement in form, and opportunity emerges with seven out of their following ten league games versus clubs currently in the bottom half in the standings. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin injury during his second consecutive start in four days in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
