English top flight: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new battle
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his skills against Wolves before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the former netted for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete transfer speculation treatment amid a alleged £65m escape clause for a possible January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable from a wide player who has six finishes plus three setups who is delightful to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an tricky spot, having engaged in a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games in their past two fixtures following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa but taking on a backline lacking a clean sheet for months may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he could give me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional striker position.” Earning the final 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally than any other English footballer in the top flight this term on six and remains keen to boost that count when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five tough years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man last season, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. Fulham's upcoming four matches feature three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The manager's squad need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from this position, along with a significant boost in performance, and a chance presents itself as seven of their following ten Premier League matches facing teams presently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus direct play and quick transitions that will be in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured at club level for a month following a groin injury during his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League victory abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
