English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh clash
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before chipping a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster scored for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column focus amid a alleged £65m release clause for a possible winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and remains delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an difficult spot, experiencing a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate over their previous two fixtures following an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a backline lacking a clean sheet for months may prove the perfect solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a surprise choice for the national team
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he can provide,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional striker position.” Earning the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goal-getting performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes compared to any English player in the top flight this season with six and will be keen to boost that total as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some warmth to Fulham's bumpy start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side last year after five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four fixtures take in three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's side need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from this position, as well as a major boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself as seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against sides at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display against long balls and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured for his club in a month having sustained a groin injury during his second start over a short period in the Champions League triumph in Germany. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
