English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another battle
Another northwest showdown might be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his skills against Wolves before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column attention due to a reported £65m buyout clause for his possible January departure, the media preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. That is predictable from a wide player who has six goals plus three helpers and remains joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an difficult situation, experiencing a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate over their last two games after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa however taking on a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game since August may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a left-field choice for the national team
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox No 9 role.” Having won the last of his 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his scoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes than any other English player in the top flight this campaign with six and is keen to increase that total when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back required as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought some warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club last year after five difficult years in north London, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures take in three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals in the league to date. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for The striker to deliver for the Reds
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's team need a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from their current spot, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself with seven from their next 10 league games against teams currently in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition victory in Germany. Isak returned as a substitute in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
