English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another clash
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well in west London after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before chipping a ball toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation treatment amid a claimed £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the media preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected from a winger with six finishes plus three helpers and remains delightful to watch. Still, his team occupy an difficult position, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate in their past two fixtures after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but facing a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field option for England
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I know what he can provide,” said the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional No 9 role.” Earning the final 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes compared to any English performer in the top flight this season on six and is anxious to boost that count when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club recently after five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. Fulham's upcoming four games include three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores this season so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's team must have a sustained recovery to enter the championship chase from here, plus a major upturn in results, and opportunity emerges as seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures against clubs presently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that remains in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured at club level in a month after picking up a groin problem during his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
