English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle in west London after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and showcased his talents in the Wolves match before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before chipping a cross toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster found the net for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger vital to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill treatment due to a alleged £65m escape clause for a potential January departure, the tabloids positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable for a wide player who has six finishes and three helpers who is delightful to watch. However, his team are in an difficult spot, having undergone a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games in their previous two games following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but facing a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game since August could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for England
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break although the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he could offer me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox striker position.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup if he is able to continue his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes compared to any English player in the top flight this season on six and is eager to increase that count when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club last year after five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man in the last term, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four matches include three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the league so far. A threat emerges for the club that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the title race from here, plus a significant upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself with seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured for his club over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue while his second start over a short period in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
