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

Walker faces Garnacho set for a new battle

Another northwest showdown may be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea after his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to dinking a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.

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

Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' decline

Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column focus due to a reported £65m release clause for a potential mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is understandable for a wide player who has six goals plus three assists and remains joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an awkward spot, experiencing a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined in their last two matches following an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa yet facing a backline without a goalless game since August might be the best remedy.

Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock

3. Welbeck a surprise shout for the national team

It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I know what he could provide,” commented the England boss. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional centre-forward role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes compared to any English player in the top flight this season on six and will be eager to boost that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.

Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side recently following five challenging years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four games take in three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm

The moment for The striker to produce for Liverpool

The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's team must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from their current spot, as well as a significant improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself as seven of their following ten league games against clubs currently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and quick transitions that is in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action for a month having sustained a groin problem during his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition victory abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient