English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before lofting a cross toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the former scored for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation focus following a reported £65m buyout clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. However, his side are in an awkward spot, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games over their previous two fixtures following an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa however taking on a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game for months may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he can provide,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox centre-forward position.” Gaining the final 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can continue his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally compared to any English performer in England's top division this campaign with six and is keen to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back required as creator and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side last year following five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four games include three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes in the league so far. Danger looms for a side that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from this position, plus a major improvement in form, and the possibility arises with seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches facing clubs at the moment in the bottom ten in the league. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus long balls and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played at club level for a month having sustained a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but was rested the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
