English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new clash
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea after his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to chipping a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the former found the net for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete gossip column focus amid a reported £65m buyout clause for his potential winter exit, the media preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable from a wide player with six finishes and three assists and remains delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an awkward position, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven to one combined in their past two games following an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit without a clean sheet since August might be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for England
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he can offer me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this term on six and remains keen to boost that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club last year after five challenging years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. Fulham's following four matches feature three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals this season so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's squad must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from this position, as well as a significant boost in performance, and a chance emerges as seven out of their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus sides currently in the lower half in the league. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against aerial passes and quick transitions that remains in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played for his club for a month having sustained a muscle issue when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe victory abroad. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
