English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for another clash
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is adapting well in west London after his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a perfect low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to dinking a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the former scored for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill treatment following a reported ÂŁ65m release clause for a possible January departure, the tabloids positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable from a attacker with six finishes plus three assists who is joyous to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an tricky position, having undergone a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined in their last two games after an strong start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi MartĂnez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defence without a clean sheet since August may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he is able to provide,” said the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional striker position.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup provided he manages to continue his goal-getting exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals compared to any English performer in the Premier League this campaign with six and remains keen to boost that count as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team recently after five tough years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups last season. The Cottagers' following four fixtures include three among the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's team need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from this position, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance presents itself with seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus clubs presently in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured at club level over four weeks following a groin problem when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League victory in Germany. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
