English top flight: ten key points to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another clash
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his skills against Wolves before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine netted for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete transfer speculation focus following a reported £65m release clause for a potential mid-season move, the media setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable from a attacker with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and remains joyous to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an awkward situation, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one combined in their last two fixtures after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa however facing a backline without a shutout since August could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I am aware what he is able to offer me,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox No 9 role.” Earning the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes than any other English performer in England's top division this campaign on six and is anxious to boost that count as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side recently after five tough years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four matches feature three among the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the league this season. Danger looms for a side that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad must have a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from here, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and opportunity emerges as seven of their following ten league games against sides presently in the lower half of the table. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat on the champions in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus long balls and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action for a month after picking up a groin problem when making his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
