English top flight: ten key points to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another encounter
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to dinking a delivery toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the former scored for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete gossip column treatment amid a claimed £65m release clause for a potential winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected from a wide player who has six finishes plus three helpers and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an difficult situation, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games over their previous two matches after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa but taking on a backline without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause although the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I am aware what he can give me,” stated the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox striker position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he can continue his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes over every other English footballer in the Premier League this campaign with six and is anxious to increase that total when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures include three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes in the league this season. Danger looms for a side that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's squad require a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from this position, as well as a major improvement in form, and a chance presents itself with seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against sides at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against direct play and quick transitions that remains in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin injury during his second start over a short period in Europe triumph in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
