English top flight: ten key points to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new clash
Another northwest showdown might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the former found the net for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column focus due to a claimed £65m release clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected from a winger who has six goals plus three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an difficult situation, having undergone a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined over their last two games after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defence lacking a shutout for months might be the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise shout for the national team
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause although the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he could offer me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he manages to sustain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this campaign on six and will be keen to increase that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought some comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side last year after five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four games include three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes in the league so far. Danger looms for a side that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's side need a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from here, as well as a major improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself with seven out of their upcoming ten Premier League matches against sides currently in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing direct play and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent at club level in a month after picking up a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League win abroad. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match against Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
