English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another encounter
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation treatment following a reported £65m release clause for his potential mid-season move, the tabloids setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a wide player who has six finishes plus three setups and is delightful to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an awkward position, having undergone a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate over their past two games after an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa however confronting a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game for months could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field choice for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break although the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Despite not knowing him, I know what he is able to provide,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional striker position.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally over every other English player in the Premier League this term having six and will be keen to boost that total when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back needed as creator and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his former side recently following five challenging years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches feature three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's squad need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from here, along with a major improvement in form, and a chance presents itself with seven from their next 10 Premier League matches against teams at the moment in the lower half of the table. The danger is evident 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 when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured at club level in a month after picking up a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
