English top flight: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh clash
Another northwest showdown might be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the youngster found the net for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill focus amid a reported £65m buyout clause for a potential January departure, the tabloids preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected from a wide player who has six finishes and three helpers and is delightful to watch. Still, his side are in an difficult spot, experiencing a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one combined in their past two games after an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however confronting a defence without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for England
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I know what he could offer me,” said the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional striker position.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup if he can maintain his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally compared to any English performer in England's top division this campaign on six and will be anxious to increase that count when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five tough years in north London, has become a regular starter, driving down the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' following four games take in three among the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes this season to date. Danger looms for the club that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's side require a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from here, plus a significant boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself with seven from their following ten league games against sides at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and quick transitions that remains under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has been absent for his club over four weeks following a groin injury during his second start in four days in the Champions League triumph abroad. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
