English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea after his summer move from Manchester United and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation focus following a reported £65m escape clause for his prospective January departure, the tabloids positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three setups who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an tricky spot, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 over two games over their previous two matches following an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa however confronting a backline without a clean sheet for months could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I understand what he could provide,” said the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional centre-forward position.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he can sustain his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this term on six and is keen to increase that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back needed as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team recently following five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, operating on the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man last season, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four fixtures include three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the league so far. A threat emerges for the club that have built a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's side must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from this position, plus a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself as seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus teams at the moment in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent at club level in a month having sustained a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
