English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the Argentine netted for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column focus amid a claimed £65m release clause for his prospective mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected for a attacker with six goals and three assists who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth find themselves in an awkward position, experiencing a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate over their past two fixtures following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however taking on a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game since August could be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for the national team
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he is able to provide,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional No 9 position.” Earning the final 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can sustain his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this campaign on six and is keen to boost that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team last year following five challenging years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four games include three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores in the league to date. Danger looms for a team that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from this position, plus a major improvement in form, and opportunity arises with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures against teams presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing against aerial passes and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has not played at club level for a month having sustained a groin injury when making his second start over a short period in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
