English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this weekend

Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new battle

Another northwest showdown may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet in west London following his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.

Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)

The winger vital to ending Bournemouth's decline

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column attention due to a alleged £65m release clause for a prospective winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an tricky spot, having undergone a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games in their previous two fixtures after an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game since August may prove the best tonic.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

The striker an outside option for the national team

It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I know what he is able to offer me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional No 9 position.” Having won the last of his 42 England games several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup if he manages to maintain his goal-getting exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes over every other English footballer in the top flight this season having six and will be anxious to add to that total as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.

Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM

4. Sessegnon needed as creator and finisher

Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side last year after five challenging years with Spurs, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. Fulham's following four fixtures include three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes in the league so far. A threat emerges for a side that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.

Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock

The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool

The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's side require a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a major upturn in results, and opportunity arises with seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus teams presently in the bottom half in the league. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display against long balls and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The big-money forward has not played for his club for a month following a groin injury when making his second start in four days in continental competition win abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient