English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown might be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the former found the net for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation focus due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for a possible January departure, the media setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable from a attacker with a half-dozen strikes and three setups and remains joyous to watch. However, his team occupy an difficult position, having undergone a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined in their past two fixtures following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa however facing a defence without a shutout for months could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field shout for the national team
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he could give me,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional striker position.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals than any other English footballer in the Premier League this campaign on six and remains anxious to add to that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his youth team last year after five tough years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, driving down the left flank in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four games include three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's team require a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from this position, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself as seven from their next 10 league games facing clubs presently in the bottom half in the league. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing direct play and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured for his club in a month having sustained a groin problem while his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League triumph abroad. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
