English top flight: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another encounter
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle in west London after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and showcased his talents against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before lofting a ball toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former scored for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill treatment due to a alleged £65m release clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is predictable from a wide player who has six finishes and three helpers and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an tricky situation, having undergone a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate in their last two matches following an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet facing a backline without a goalless game for months might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a surprise option for the Three Lions
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window although the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I know what he can give me,” stated the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional No 9 role.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes than any other English player in the Premier League this campaign with six and will be keen to boost that count when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back needed as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team last year after five difficult years at Tottenham, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' following four fixtures feature three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes in the league to date. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for The striker to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's side must have a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from here, plus a major boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself as seven from their following ten league games facing sides at the moment in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against direct play and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action in a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League triumph abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
