English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a perfect low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to dinking a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the former scored for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column focus following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a potential winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. That is to be expected from a wide player with six finishes and three setups and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an awkward spot, experiencing a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate over their past two games following an strong opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker a surprise option for the Three Lions
It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window although the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I know what he could give me,” said the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox centre-forward position.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup provided he can maintain his scoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals compared to any English player in the Premier League this term with six and remains keen to increase that total as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team last year following five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four games include three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals this season so far. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's squad must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from this position, as well as a dramatic upturn in results, and opportunity arises with seven of their following ten Premier League matches versus teams currently in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played for his club over four weeks after picking up a groin problem when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition victory in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient