English top flight: ten key points to look out for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his talents against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the former netted for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation treatment due to a claimed £65m release clause for a potential winter exit, the media positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an difficult spot, experiencing a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined in their previous two fixtures after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker a surprise option for the national team
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he could offer me,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional No 9 role.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup provided he can maintain his scoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes than any other English performer in England's top division this term having six and remains keen to boost that tally as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as creator and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided some positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team last year following five tough years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, operating on the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four matches feature three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals this season to date. A threat emerges for a side that have built a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's side must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from here, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance emerges as seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures against clubs presently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus long balls and quick transitions that remains in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played for his club over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue during his second start over a short period in the Champions League win in Germany. Isak returned off the bench during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient