English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this round of fixtures

Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new clash

A Manchester reunion may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet in west London following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his talents in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the former scored for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.

Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)

2. Semenyo vital to stopping Bournemouth's decline

Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete transfer speculation focus due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for his prospective mid-season move, the media preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a attacker with a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and is pleasurable to watch. However, his team occupy an tricky spot, experiencing a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined over their last two fixtures following an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa however taking on a defence without a shutout since August might be the best tonic.

Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM

3. Welbeck a left-field option for England

It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I know what he can provide,” said the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox centre-forward role.” Having won the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup if he manages to maintain his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally over every other English player in the top flight this season with six and is anxious to add to that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.

Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and finisher

The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team recently following five difficult years at Tottenham, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last time round. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine scores in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for a team that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock

The moment for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club

The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's side need a sustained recovery to enter the championship chase from here, as well as a major improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself with seven from their upcoming ten league games versus clubs currently in the bottom half of the table. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing against direct play and fast breaks that remains in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not played at club level in a month after picking up a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition win abroad. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient