English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch could be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration and a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column treatment following a reported £65m buyout clause for a prospective mid-season move, the media preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable from a wide player with six finishes plus three setups and remains delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky situation, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games over their past two matches after an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a backline without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a surprise option for the national team
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he could give me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional striker position.” Earning the final 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals over every other English footballer in the top flight this campaign with six and will be keen to boost that count as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club recently following five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, driving down the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. The Cottagers' following four games feature three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for The striker to produce for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's squad require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from this position, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility arises as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures versus teams at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus direct play and fast breaks that will be in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not played for his club in a month after picking up a groin injury during his second start in quick succession in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking in that match could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
