English top flight: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another clash
A Manchester reunion may be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his skills against Wolves before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the former netted for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger key to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill treatment following a reported £65m buyout clause for his possible mid-season move, the media preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable for a wide player with six finishes plus three helpers who is delightful to watch. Still, his side occupy an difficult situation, experiencing a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one combined in their last two fixtures following an strong start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa however confronting a defence without a shutout for months might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he is able to give me,” said the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional centre-forward role.” Earning the last of his 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup if he is able to continue his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally compared to any English footballer in England's top division this season on six and is anxious to boost that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side last year following five challenging years in north London, is now a consistent pick, driving down the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man last season, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four fixtures take in three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores this season so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad must have a consistent improvement to enter the title race from their current spot, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten league games facing clubs currently in the lower half of the table. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and counterattacks that is in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent at club level in a month having sustained a groin problem during his second start in quick succession in the Champions League victory abroad. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
