English top flight: 10 things to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho set for another clash
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well in west London after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his abilities in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill focus due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for his potential mid-season move, the media positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. This is predictable from a attacker who has six goals plus three helpers who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an tricky situation, having undergone a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined in their past two matches following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but facing a defence lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I am aware what he can offer me,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional striker role.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup provided he can maintain his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes over every other English player in the top flight this season having six and is keen to boost that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side last year after five difficult years in north London, has become a regular starter, driving down the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four matches include three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the league to date. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's squad require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from this position, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity arises as seven from their following ten Premier League matches versus sides presently in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against direct play and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent at club level in a month having sustained a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
