English top flight: ten key points to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea following his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill treatment following a reported £65m buyout clause for a potential winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected from a wide player who has six goals and three helpers and remains delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an difficult position, experiencing a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one combined in their last two games after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa however taking on a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet since August could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a left-field option for the national team
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he could offer me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox centre-forward role.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally than any other English player in the top flight this term on six and will be anxious to add to that tally when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his former side recently after five tough years in north London, is now a consistent pick, operating on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' following four games feature three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes in the league so far. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's team need a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from this position, plus a major upturn in results, and the possibility arises as seven of their upcoming ten league games versus teams presently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus direct play and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent for his club for a month having sustained a groin problem while his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A booking in that match would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
