English top flight: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker set for a new clash
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before dinking a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the former scored for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill focus following a claimed £65m buyout clause for his prospective January departure, the tabloids preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable for a wide player who has six goals and three assists and is pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an difficult spot, experiencing a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined over their last two matches after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped 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 since August might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field option for the national team
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he is able to offer me,” stated the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox centre-forward position.” Having won the last of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goal-getting performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally than any other English player in the top flight this campaign having six and will be eager to boost that total when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club recently after five challenging years in north London, has become a regular starter, driving down the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man in the last term, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. Fulham's upcoming four games take in three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for a team that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for The striker to produce for the Reds
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's side require a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from here, plus a significant boost in performance, and the possibility emerges with seven out of their next 10 league games facing sides at the moment in the lower half of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance versus direct play and quick transitions that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action in a month after picking up a groin injury while his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
