English top flight: ten key points to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another clash
A Manchester reunion could be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to dinking a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster scored for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
The winger key to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation attention amid a reported £65m escape clause for his prospective January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable from a attacker with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and remains delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an awkward spot, experiencing a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined in their last two matches following an promising start to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however taking on a backline without a goalless game since August might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside option for England
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he can provide,” said the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox striker role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally compared to any English performer in the top flight this term on six and remains eager to increase that count as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side last year following five difficult years in north London, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four matches include three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine scores in the Premier League this season. Danger looms for the club that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's team must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, plus a significant boost in performance, and opportunity emerges with seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus teams currently in the lower half in the league. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display against direct play and fast breaks that remains in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has not played at club level in a month having sustained a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition win abroad. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
