English top flight: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster found the net for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill treatment amid a alleged £65m escape clause for a potential January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is pleasurable to watch. However, his side find themselves in an tricky situation, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate over their previous two matches after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa but taking on a backline that hasn't kept a shutout since August might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker a surprise choice for England
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he can offer me,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox centre-forward role.” Having won the last of his 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup provided he manages to continue his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally over every other English performer in England's top division this season having six and will be anxious to add to that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 following five tough years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, operating on the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. Fulham's following four fixtures feature three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores this season this season. Danger looms for the club that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's side need a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from this position, as well as a major boost in performance, and a chance presents itself with seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures against sides at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus long balls and counterattacks that is in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played at club level over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue during his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
