English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well in west London following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before dinking a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus HĂžjlund, was a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column attention due to a claimed ÂŁ65m buyout clause for his possible winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his side occupy an tricky position, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined in their previous two games after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi MartĂnez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but facing a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game for months might be the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker an outside choice for England
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 soon. âDespite not being familiar with him, I understand what he is able to offer me,â stated the England manager. âHe can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional No 9 role.â Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup if he manages to maintain his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally over every other English footballer in England's top division this season on six and will be eager to increase that count as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team in 2024 after five challenging years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. RaĂșl JimĂ©nez, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the league this season. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side need a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, as well as a significant boost in performance, and the possibility emerges as seven of their next 10 Premier League matches versus clubs at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display against aerial passes and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The ÂŁ125m striker has not featured in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue during his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe win in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient