English top flight: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to lofting a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column treatment following a claimed £65m release clause for a possible winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable for a winger who has six goals plus three helpers and remains delightful to watch. Still, his team are in an difficult position, having undergone a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined in their past two fixtures after an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet facing a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game for months might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field choice for the national team
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he could provide,” said the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional centre-forward role.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup if he manages to continue his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this term having six and remains keen to boost that count when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five challenging years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. Fulham's following four matches take in three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for The striker to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The manager's side must have a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from this position, along with a significant improvement in form, and a chance emerges as seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing teams presently in the lower half of the table. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that will be in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not featured at club level for a month following a groin injury during his second start in quick succession in Europe triumph abroad. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
