English top flight: ten key points to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation focus following a reported £65m escape clause for his prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable from a attacker who has six goals and three assists and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side are in an tricky situation, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games over their last two matches after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet facing a backline without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker an outside option for the Three Lions
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window even though the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he could give me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional No 9 role.” Having won the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he manages to continue his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes compared to any English performer in England's top division this season with six and will be anxious to increase that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team recently following five difficult years in north London, is now a regular starter, operating on the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four matches feature three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine scores in the league this season. Danger looms for the club that have built a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side require a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity emerges with seven from their next 10 Premier League matches versus teams at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against aerial passes and quick transitions that remains under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action for a month after picking up a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League victory abroad. He reappeared from the bench in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A booking in that match might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
