English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new encounter
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his skills against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a perfect grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before lofting a ball toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger key to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column focus following a reported £65m release clause for his possible January departure, the tabloids preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected for a winger who has six finishes plus three setups and remains joyous to watch. Still, his side are in an tricky position, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate over their past two games following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit lacking a goalless game since August might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field option for England
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he could provide,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox striker position.” Earning the final 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes compared to any English footballer in England's top division this term with six and remains anxious to increase that total when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man last season, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four fixtures include three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for a team that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for The striker to produce for the Reds
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's squad require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, as well as a significant upturn in results, and opportunity arises as seven from their upcoming ten league games versus sides at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's showing against direct play and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not played for his club in a month following a groin problem when making his second start in four days in continental competition victory in Germany. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but was rested the midweek meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
