English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation focus amid a claimed £65m release clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. This is to be expected for a winger with six goals plus three setups who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an tricky situation, having undergone a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined over their past two matches following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however facing a backline lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker an outside choice for England
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he can give me,” said the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox striker position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals than any other English performer in the Premier League this season having six and remains eager to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his former side recently following five difficult years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four games feature three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals in the league to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's team must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, plus a major improvement in form, and a chance emerges as seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures versus teams at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against aerial passes and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action over four weeks following a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition victory abroad. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
