English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his abilities against Wolves before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before chipping a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger vital to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column treatment following a claimed £65m escape clause for his potential winter exit, the media positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable from a winger with six finishes plus three assists and remains delightful to watch. However, his team occupy an awkward situation, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate over their previous two matches following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa but facing a defence without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break although the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he could give me,” said the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox No 9 position.” Earning the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals compared to any English performer in the top flight this campaign on six and will be keen to increase that count when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back crucial as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 following five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. Fulham's following four fixtures include three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes this season this season. A threat emerges for a side that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for The striker to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's side require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from their current spot, along with a significant improvement in form, and the possibility emerges as seven out of their following ten league games facing teams presently in the lower half in the league. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus direct play and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured at club level for a month following a groin injury while his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday could have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
