English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new encounter
A Manchester reunion might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet in west London following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a flawless grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the former scored for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column treatment amid a reported £65m escape clause for his possible January departure, the media positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable from a winger who has six goals and three setups who is delightful to watch. Still, his side are in an awkward position, having engaged in a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate over their last two games after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however taking on a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game since August might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he could offer me,” said the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional striker role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup provided he can continue his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes than any other English footballer in the top flight this campaign having six and is eager to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back crucial as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side last year following five difficult years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, operating on the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures include three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes in the Premier League this season. Danger looms for a team that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for The striker to perform for the Merseyside club
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's squad need a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from here, plus a significant boost in performance, and a chance emerges with seven from their next 10 Premier League matches against sides currently in the lower half in the standings. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and counterattacks that will be in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action over four weeks following a groin injury during his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League triumph abroad. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match would have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
