English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new battle
Another northwest showdown might be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? During the Argentine scored for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill attention amid a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected for a attacker who has six finishes plus three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth find themselves in an difficult situation, having undergone a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined over their last two fixtures following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game for months could be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker reaches 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I know what he is able to offer me,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional No 9 role.” Gaining the final 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally than any other English footballer in the Premier League this campaign with six and will be eager to boost that count as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club last year following five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' following four fixtures include three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes this season to date. Danger looms for a side that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for The striker to perform for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's team need a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from their current spot, along with a major upturn in results, and opportunity emerges as seven of their next 10 Premier League matches versus teams presently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and quick transitions that remains in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action for a month having sustained a groin injury when making his second start over a short period in continental competition victory abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
