English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to dinking a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill attention following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a possible mid-season move, the media preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable for a winger who has six finishes plus three helpers and remains delightful to watch. However, his team occupy an awkward spot, experiencing a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined in their past two matches after an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa but confronting a backline that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field option for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I know what he is able to give me,” said the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox striker role.” Having won the last of his 42 England games several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally over every other English player in England's top division this season on six and remains eager to increase that count when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided some comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team recently after five tough years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who provided ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' following four matches include three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores in the league this season. Danger looms for a team that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for The striker to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's squad must have a prolonged upturn to enter the league contest from their current spot, along with a major boost in performance, and a chance emerges with seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches against sides currently in the lower half in the league. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing direct play and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin problem when making his second start over a short period in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game might have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
