English top flight: 10 things to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another battle
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, replicating his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the former scored for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill attention due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for his prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected for a winger with six finishes and three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. However, his team occupy an tricky situation, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games in their last two games after an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a defence without a shutout since August could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break even though the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I understand what he could provide,” said the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox No 9 position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally than any other English footballer in England's top division this campaign on six and remains eager to boost that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back crucial as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided some warmth to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 after five tough years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four games feature three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals this season to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's side need a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, along with a major improvement in form, and opportunity arises as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures against teams currently in the lower half in the league. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing against long balls and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not played for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin injury while his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe triumph abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
