English top flight: 10 things to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new clash
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and showcased his skills in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to chipping a delivery toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster scored for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger key to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill treatment following a reported £65m escape clause for a potential mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side are in an tricky position, having undergone a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined over their previous two games following an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however confronting a defence lacking a goalless game for months could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a left-field choice for the national team
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he can give me,” said the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional centre-forward role.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally compared to any English player in the top flight this campaign on six and will be keen to add to that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side last year after five challenging years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures feature three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores in the league to date. Danger looms for a team that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for The striker to produce for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's squad must have a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from this position, as well as a significant improvement in form, and a chance presents itself with seven of their following ten league games against sides presently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance versus direct play and counterattacks that is in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action for a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League triumph abroad. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
