English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a ideal grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill treatment due to a reported ÂŁ65m release clause for a prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected for a wide player with six finishes plus three helpers who is delightful to watch. However, his side occupy an tricky spot, having undergone a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate over their last two matches following an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi MartĂnez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout for months may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for England
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause although the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Despite not knowing him, I know what he can provide,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox striker role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he manages to continue his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes over every other English performer in the top flight this season having six and is anxious to increase that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five tough years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, driving down the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. Fulham's upcoming four games feature three among the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's side need a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from here, plus a significant upturn in results, and a chance arises as seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs at the moment in the lower half in the league. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus long balls and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action for a month following a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League win in Germany. Isak returned off the bench during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
