English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another encounter
Another northwest showdown may be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the former netted for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column focus due to a claimed £65m escape clause for a possible January departure, the tabloids setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected for a wide player with six finishes and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. However, his team find themselves in an difficult spot, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games over their last two games after an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout for months might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for England
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window although the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he could offer me,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox centre-forward role.” Having won the last of his 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes than any other English performer in the Premier League this campaign with six and remains anxious to increase that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon required as creator and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team recently after five challenging years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. Fulham's following four fixtures include three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes in the league so far. Danger looms for a team that have earned a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad must have a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from here, plus a major improvement in form, and a chance arises as seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures against sides presently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus aerial passes and counterattacks that is in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin problem while his second start in quick succession in the Champions League victory in Germany. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient