English top flight: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before chipping a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the former netted for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation attention due to a claimed £65m escape clause for a potential mid-season move, the media preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a winger who has six goals and three helpers and remains delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an difficult spot, having undergone a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate over their previous two games after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet facing a defence without a clean sheet since August may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for the national team
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I understand what he could provide,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional striker role.” Earning the last of his 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes than any other English player in the top flight this season having six and is eager to boost that total as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team recently following five tough years with Spurs, is now a regular starter, operating on the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' next four matches take in three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores this season so far. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's side need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from here, as well as a significant boost in performance, and opportunity emerges with seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus clubs presently in the lower half in the league. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus long balls and quick transitions that remains in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent for his club in a month having sustained a groin problem during his second start over a short period in continental competition triumph abroad. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient