English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker set for another clash
A Mancunian rematch may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents against Wolves before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster netted for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill attention following a claimed £65m release clause for a potential January departure, the media preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes plus three assists who is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an difficult position, experiencing a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate in their past two games after an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he could offer me,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional No 9 position.” Having won the final 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup if he can maintain his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally over every other English footballer in the Premier League this season with six and remains keen to increase that total when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his former side recently after five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. Fulham's upcoming four games feature three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to produce for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from this position, as well as a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself with seven of their next 10 Premier League matches against sides at the moment in the lower half of the table. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance against long balls and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has not played at club level for a month following a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League win abroad. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
