English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new battle
A Mancunian rematch may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea following his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before chipping a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the former found the net for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column focus due to a reported £65m buyout clause for his possible mid-season move, the media setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected from a winger with six finishes plus three assists and is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an awkward situation, having undergone a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate in their last two fixtures after an strong start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however taking on a defensive unit without a shutout since August could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker an outside option for the national team
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window even though the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he is able to give me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional striker role.” Having won the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has additional strikes over every other English footballer in the top flight this season on six and is keen to boost that count when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club last year after five tough years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left side with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four fixtures include three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to produce for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's team must have a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself with seven of their following ten Premier League matches against sides currently in the bottom half in the league. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against aerial passes and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has not played for his club for a month following a groin problem when making his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League win in Germany. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
