English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion may be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is adapting well with Chelsea after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a ideal grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before dinking a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the former found the net for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill focus amid a alleged £65m escape clause for a possible January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable from a attacker with a half-dozen strikes and three assists who is delightful to watch. Still, his team occupy an awkward situation, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games in their last two matches following an strong start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however facing a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game for months could be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he could offer me,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional No 9 role.” Earning the final 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can continue his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes than any other English footballer in the top flight this campaign having six and remains keen to boost that tally as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back required as assist provider and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club last year after five tough years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, driving down the left flank in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker last season, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' next four fixtures feature three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores in the Premier League so far. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's squad must have a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from here, plus a significant upturn in results, and opportunity emerges as seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against direct play and fast breaks that will be in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured for his club in a month after picking up a groin injury while his second consecutive start in four days in continental competition victory in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
