English top flight: ten key points to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh battle
Another northwest showdown could be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster scored for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation attention due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for a potential winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected for a attacker with six finishes plus three assists and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky position, having engaged in a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one combined over their previous two games following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but facing a defence lacking a clean sheet since August could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise option for the national team
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break although the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he is able to provide,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional centre-forward role.” Having won the last of his 42 caps several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes over every other English footballer in the top flight this season having six and will be keen to boost that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side recently following five difficult years in north London, is now a regular starter, operating on the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. Fulham's following four games feature three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals in the Premier League this season. Danger looms for the club that have earned a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad require a sustained recovery to enter the title race from this position, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance presents itself as seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus clubs presently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus long balls and quick transitions that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured at club level for a month after picking up a groin problem during his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe victory in Germany. Isak returned as a substitute in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
