English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another battle
Another northwest showdown might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his abilities against Wolves before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before dinking a cross toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former scored for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger key to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation treatment following a claimed £65m release clause for his possible January departure, the media setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable from a winger who has six finishes and three setups and remains joyous to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an awkward spot, having undergone a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven to one combined in their previous two fixtures after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however facing a backline without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the national team
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he can offer me,” said the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox centre-forward position.” Earning the final 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally over every other English footballer in the Premier League this season having six and remains anxious to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided some warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team in 2024 after five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four matches include three among the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals in the league this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for The striker to produce for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's team require a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from this position, along with a major upturn in results, and a chance presents itself as seven from their next 10 Premier League matches versus teams presently in the bottom half of the table. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured at club level for a month following a groin injury during his second start over a short period in continental competition victory in Germany. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
