English top flight: 10 things to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another clash
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his skills in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster netted for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation focus following a reported £65m buyout clause for his possible January departure, the media setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and remains joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an tricky situation, having engaged in a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined in their previous two games following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet confronting a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months could be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for England
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I know what he could provide,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional No 9 role.” Earning the final 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can continue his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally compared to any English performer in the Premier League this campaign with six and will be eager to boost that count as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back crucial as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four fixtures take in three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores this season this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to produce for the Reds
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's squad must have a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from here, plus a significant upturn in results, and a chance emerges with seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs currently in the bottom ten in the league. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against direct play and quick transitions that remains in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin injury while his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition triumph abroad. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match might have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
