English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new clash
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet in west London after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before dinking a cross toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster netted for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column attention amid a alleged £65m escape clause for his possible mid-season move, the media positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable for a wide player with six finishes and three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an difficult position, experiencing a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games in their past two matches after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa however confronting a backline lacking a goalless game for months could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside shout for England
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he is able to give me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional striker position.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally than any other English player in the top flight this season on six and will be eager to boost that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five challenging years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups last time round. Fulham's upcoming four matches include three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the league this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for The striker to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's squad must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from this position, plus a major upturn in results, and opportunity emerges as seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures versus sides currently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus 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 not played for his club over four weeks after picking up a groin problem during his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition victory abroad. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
