English top flight: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another clash
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a flawless grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to chipping a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire gossip column treatment due to a reported £65m release clause for a possible January departure, the media positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and remains joyous to watch. However, his team find themselves in an awkward situation, experiencing a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate over their previous two fixtures following an strong start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa yet facing a backline without a clean sheet since August may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for the national team
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he could offer me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup if he can sustain his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally compared to any English performer in the top flight this term with six and remains eager to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back required as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club last year after five challenging years in north London, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their joint-top scorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man in the last term, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four fixtures take in three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to perform for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's squad must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a major improvement in form, and the possibility emerges with seven out of their upcoming ten league games versus sides currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent in domestic action over four weeks having sustained a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition win abroad. He reappeared off the bench in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
