English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea following his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the former found the net for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation treatment following a claimed £65m escape clause for a possible mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected for a wide player who has six finishes and three assists and is pleasurable to watch. Still, his side occupy an tricky situation, having engaged in a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined over their past two games following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a backline lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker a surprise option for the national team
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break even though the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I know what he can provide,” commented the England boss. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional No 9 position.” Having won the last of his 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally over every other English player in the top flight this term with six and remains keen to add to that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club last year following five tough years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. Fulham's upcoming four matches feature three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores in the league this season. Danger looms for the club that have earned a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad must have a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, plus a major upturn in results, and a chance emerges with seven out of their next 10 league games versus teams at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing long balls and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent at club level for a month after picking up a groin problem when making his second start in quick succession in the Champions League victory abroad. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match might have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
