English top flight: 10 things to look out for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column focus following a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the media preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable from a attacker who has six goals and three assists who is delightful to watch. Still, his team are in an awkward position, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate over their past two games following an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet facing a backline without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field option for England
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton striker celebrates 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he can give me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional No 9 role.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup assuming he can continue his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes over every other English performer in the top flight this season with six and will be anxious to boost that count when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side recently following five challenging years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer last season, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four games include three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The manager's squad must have a sustained recovery to enter the title race from this position, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance arises with seven out of their following ten league games against clubs at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and counterattacks that is in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin problem while his second consecutive start in four days in Europe triumph in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
