English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion could be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet in west London following his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column focus amid a reported £65m escape clause for his possible winter exit, the media preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable for a winger who has six goals plus three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an awkward spot, experiencing a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate over their last two games following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game for months may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker an outside choice for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he is able to give me,” stated the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional No 9 position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup provided he manages to continue his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally compared to any English player in the top flight this campaign having six and is keen to increase that total as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side recently after five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man last season, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. Fulham's upcoming four matches feature three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for the club that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's side must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the title race from their current spot, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance arises with seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus sides at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display against long balls and quick transitions that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent at club level in a month after picking up a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition win abroad. He reappeared off the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A booking on Tuesday might have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
