English top flight: 10 things to look out for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown may be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill focus following a alleged £65m escape clause for his potential winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is understandable from a attacker with six goals plus three setups and is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an awkward situation, experiencing a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 over two games in their previous two fixtures after an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck a left-field option for the national team
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he could offer me,” said the England boss. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox striker position.” Having won the last of his 42 caps several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup provided he can maintain his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes compared to any English performer in England's top division this campaign with six and is anxious to boost that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team last year after five tough years in north London, has become a regular starter, driving down the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four games include three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's team need a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, along with a significant improvement in form, and a chance presents itself as seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures against sides at the moment in the lower half in the league. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, however it's not just Liverpool's performance against aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured at club level in a month after picking up a groin injury while his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient