English top flight: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another clash
A Mancunian rematch might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before dinking a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the youngster netted for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation focus due to a alleged £65m escape clause for his potential January departure, the media positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable for a winger with six finishes plus three assists and is pleasurable to watch. However, his team find themselves in an difficult situation, having undergone a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined in their last two games following an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit without a goalless game for months may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field option for the national team
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I am aware what he is able to give me,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional centre-forward role.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally over every other English performer in the top flight this season with six and is keen to increase that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club last year following five challenging years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left side with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' next four fixtures include three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals in the league to date. Danger looms for a team that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's team need a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from their current spot, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity arises with seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches facing sides currently in the lower half of the table. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against aerial passes and fast breaks that is in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent at club level over four weeks following a groin problem when making his second start in quick succession in Europe victory abroad. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday might have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
