English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another encounter
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his skills in the Wolves match before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill attention due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the tabloids setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. That is to be expected from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is joyous to watch. Still, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky spot, experiencing a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate over their previous two games after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa but confronting a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside option for the national team
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he is able to offer me,” said the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional centre-forward position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup assuming he can maintain his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals compared to any English footballer in the top flight this season with six and remains anxious to add to that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team recently following five difficult years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four games take in three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the Premier League so far. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for The striker to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, plus a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility arises as seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs presently in the lower half in the league. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing direct play and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent at club level over four weeks following a groin problem while his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match could have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
