English top flight: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown might be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before chipping a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster netted for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation attention due to a claimed ÂŁ65m buyout clause for his prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is predictable from a attacker with six finishes and three setups and is delightful to watch. However, his team occupy an difficult spot, experiencing a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined in their last two fixtures following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi MartĂnez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he could provide,” commented the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox striker position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes than any other English player in the Premier League this term having six and is anxious to boost that count as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back crucial as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team recently after five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. Fulham's following four fixtures include three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine scores this season so far. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's side require a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from this position, plus a significant boost in performance, and a chance arises as seven out of their following ten Premier League matches facing sides presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus long balls and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin injury during his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League win abroad. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
