English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea following his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his talents against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? During the former netted for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill treatment due to a claimed £65m release clause for his prospective January departure, the media positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable for a wide player with six goals plus three helpers and remains delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an tricky position, having undergone a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games in their previous two matches after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however facing a backline lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a surprise option for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break although the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he can give me,” said the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional No 9 position.” Having won the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup provided he can continue his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals than any other English performer in the Premier League this season having six and will be keen to boost that count when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side last year after five difficult years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four matches feature three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes in the league this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's team require a consistent improvement to enter the title race from here, plus a major upturn in results, and a chance emerges as seven out of their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus teams currently in the lower half in the standings. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's showing against aerial passes and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action over four weeks following a groin problem during his second consecutive start in four days in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match would have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
