English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another battle
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet in west London following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before chipping a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster netted for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column treatment due to a claimed ÂŁ65m escape clause for a prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and remains joyous to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an tricky position, having undergone a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined in their past two fixtures after an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi MartĂnez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet confronting a backline lacking a clean sheet since August could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside option for England
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he could provide,” commented the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Having won the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goal-getting performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals than any other English footballer in the Premier League this campaign having six and remains anxious to boost that count as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought some positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side last year following five challenging years with Spurs, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's next four matches feature three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores this season so far. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's side must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the title race from their current spot, as well as a significant improvement in form, and the possibility arises with seven out of their following ten league games facing clubs currently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent for his club over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue during his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition victory abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match would have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
