English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine netted for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill attention amid a claimed ÂŁ65m buyout clause for his possible mid-season move, the media setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable for a winger with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is joyous to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an tricky spot, experiencing a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate over their previous two fixtures following an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi MartĂnez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet taking on a defence lacking a shutout for months may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker an outside choice for the Three Lions
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he could provide,” stated the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional centre-forward role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has additional strikes than any other English performer in the Premier League this campaign with six and will be anxious to boost that total when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team recently after five tough years in north London, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four matches feature three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals this season so far. A threat emerges for the club that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad require a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from this position, as well as a major boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten league games facing teams presently in the lower half of the table. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and quick transitions that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The ÂŁ125m striker has not featured for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe triumph in Germany. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A booking in that match could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient