English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new encounter
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is finding his feet in west London following his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his skills in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to lofting a delivery to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the former scored for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column attention due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for his possible winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a wide player who has six goals plus three assists and remains joyous to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky situation, experiencing a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined over their past two games after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa yet confronting a backline lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I know what he could provide,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional striker role.” Having won the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup assuming he can sustain his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this season on six and is eager to increase that count when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side recently following five tough years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's following four fixtures include three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals this season so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad need a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from here, as well as a major upturn in results, and the possibility emerges with seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display against aerial passes and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not featured for his club for a month having sustained a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League victory in Germany. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
