English top flight: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet in west London following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill attention following a claimed ÂŁ65m release clause for a prospective mid-season move, the media positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three setups who is pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an tricky position, having undergone a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 over two games in their last two matches after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi MartĂnez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa however facing a defensive unit lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside option for England
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he could give me,” said the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional No 9 role.” Earning the final 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup if he is able to continue his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes over every other English footballer in the Premier League this campaign with six and is eager to boost that total as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club recently following five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, operating on the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man last season, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' following four matches take in three among the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the league so far. A threat emerges for a side that have built a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's squad need a sustained recovery to enter the championship chase from here, plus a significant upturn in results, and a chance arises with seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus sides at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus direct play and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured at club level over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue while his second start in four days in continental competition victory in Germany. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
