English top flight: ten key points to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before dinking a delivery to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine found the net for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill treatment due to a reported £65m buyout clause for a possible mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected from a winger who has six finishes and three helpers and remains delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an awkward situation, experiencing a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven to one over two games over their previous two games after an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet confronting a backline lacking a clean sheet for months might be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker a surprise option for England
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window although the Brighton striker celebrates 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I know what he is able to offer me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox striker role.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup provided he can continue his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes over every other English performer in the top flight this campaign having six and will be keen to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team recently after five challenging years in north London, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four fixtures include three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's team need a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from their current spot, along with a major improvement in form, and opportunity arises with seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures against teams presently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against long balls and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin injury when making his second start in four days in Europe victory in Germany. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
