English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another battle
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his talents in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to lofting a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire transfer speculation treatment due to a reported £65m buyout clause for his prospective January departure, the media positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable for a attacker with six goals and three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an difficult situation, experiencing a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate over their past two games following an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet facing a defence without a goalless game for months might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field choice for the Three Lions
It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I understand what he could provide,” commented the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional centre-forward role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup if he manages to maintain his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally than any other English performer in England's top division this campaign on six and will be anxious to add to that total when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five difficult years in north London, is now a consistent pick, operating on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man last season, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. Fulham's upcoming four matches include three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals this season to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for The striker to perform for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side must have a consistent improvement to enter the title race from their current spot, plus a major boost in performance, and opportunity arises with seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus clubs presently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against aerial passes and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action in a month after picking up a groin problem while his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
