English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh clash
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet in west London following his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to chipping a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation treatment amid a alleged £65m buyout clause for a potential January departure, the media preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is predictable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three assists and remains delightful to watch. However, his side find themselves in an awkward position, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate over their last two fixtures following an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” stated the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional No 9 position.” Earning the last of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup if he is able to sustain his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes compared to any English performer in England's top division this term having six and is eager to add to that count as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team in 2024 following five difficult years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' next four matches take in three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine scores in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for the club that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's team must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from this position, plus a significant improvement in form, and opportunity arises with seven from their next 10 league games against teams at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus aerial passes and quick transitions that remains under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action in a month following a muscle issue while his second start over a short period in the Champions League win in Germany. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
