English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh battle
Another northwest showdown could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities against Wolves before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill treatment due to a alleged £65m release clause for a potential mid-season move, the media setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable from a winger with six goals plus three setups and remains joyous to watch. However, his team find themselves in an difficult position, experiencing a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate over their past two games following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but facing a defence without a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker a surprise shout for the national team
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he is able to give me,” said the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional No 9 position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup assuming he can maintain his scoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally over every other English performer in England's top division this term with six and will be anxious to boost that tally as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side last year after five difficult years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' next four matches feature three among the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the league this season. A threat emerges for a side that have built a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's team need a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from this position, along with a major boost in performance, and the possibility arises as seven from their next 10 league games versus clubs currently in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing direct play and counterattacks that is in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has been absent at club level over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe win in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
