English top flight: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new encounter
A Manchester reunion might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his skills in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to chipping a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the youngster scored for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill focus due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for his potential mid-season move, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected from a attacker who has six finishes plus three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team find themselves in an tricky spot, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate in their last two games following an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but confronting a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a left-field option for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break although the Brighton striker reaches 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he could provide,” said the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox centre-forward role.” Having won the final 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally compared to any English performer in the Premier League this term with six and is eager to boost that count as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team last year after five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. Fulham's next four fixtures include three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals in the league to date. Danger looms for a side that have earned a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's team need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the title race from here, along with a major improvement in form, and a chance presents itself as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures against teams currently in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing direct play and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not played for his club in a month having sustained a groin problem when making his second start in four days in the Champions League victory abroad. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
