English top flight: 10 things to look out for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another clash
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill treatment due to a alleged £65m escape clause for his possible winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three assists and is delightful to watch. Still, his side are in an tricky position, experiencing a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate over their last two fixtures following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet taking on a defence lacking a goalless game since August might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window even though the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Despite not being familiar with him, I understand what he could provide,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional striker position.” Having won the final 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally compared to any English player in the top flight this campaign on six and is anxious to add to that tally as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club last year after five tough years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. Fulham's next four fixtures take in three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores this season this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's team must have a consistent improvement to enter the title race from their current spot, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity emerges with seven of their next 10 league games versus teams at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus long balls and quick transitions that will be in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has been absent for his club over four weeks following a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League win abroad. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
