English top flight: ten key points to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another battle
A Manchester reunion might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to dinking a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation attention due to a reported £65m buyout clause for his possible January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable for a wide player who has six goals plus three setups and remains joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an tricky position, having undergone a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined in their previous two games after an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa but taking on a defence lacking a goalless game for months could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker an outside choice for the Three Lions
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window although the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he could give me,” stated the England coach. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox No 9 position.” Having won the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has additional strikes than any other English performer in the Premier League this term on six and is anxious to add to that count when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club recently after five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker last season, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's next four games include three among the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the league to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The manager's squad require a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from this position, plus a significant improvement in form, and the possibility arises as seven of their next 10 league games facing sides presently in the bottom half of the table. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing direct play and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured for his club for a month after picking up a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
