English top flight: ten key points to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another clash
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to lofting a ball toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster found the net for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire gossip column focus amid a reported £65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is understandable for a attacker with a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and is joyous to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an tricky situation, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined in their previous two matches after an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa however facing a defence without a shutout since August may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I know what he could provide,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes than any other English performer in the top flight this season with six and is eager to add to that count when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side last year following five tough years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, driving down the left flank in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. Fulham's following four matches feature three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores this season this season. A threat emerges for a side that have built a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's squad must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a significant upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself with seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs at the moment in the lower half in the league. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus aerial passes and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not played for his club in a month following a groin injury during his second start over a short period in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking on Tuesday would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
