English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to lofting a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the former netted for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire transfer speculation focus following a reported £65m buyout clause for a potential January departure, the media setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an difficult position, experiencing a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate over their past two games after an promising start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet facing a backline that hasn't kept a shutout since August may prove the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field choice for England
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he could offer me,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional centre-forward position.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he can maintain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes than any other English performer in the Premier League this term on six and remains keen to increase that total as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back needed as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club last year following five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four matches take in three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate 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 enter the league contest from here, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility arises as seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches versus teams currently in the lower half in the league. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus direct play and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent for his club for a month having sustained a groin problem when making his second start in four days in the Champions League win in Germany. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested the midweek meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
