English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another encounter
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle in west London after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before chipping a cross toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column focus due to a reported £65m escape clause for his prospective January departure, the tabloids positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable for a winger who has six goals plus three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky situation, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games in their last two games following an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa however facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game since August could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field choice for the national team
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I know what he is able to offer me,” stated the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup provided he can sustain his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes compared to any English performer in the top flight this season on six and will be eager to add to that count as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side recently following five difficult years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures include three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine scores in the league to date. Danger looms for the club that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's team require a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from here, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance emerges with seven out of their following ten Premier League matches against teams currently in the lower half in the league. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin problem during his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
