English top flight: 10 things to look out for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new clash
Another northwest showdown might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a perfect grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation focus amid a claimed £65m release clause for a possible winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. That is to be expected for a winger who has six goals plus three setups and is delightful to watch. However, his side find themselves in an difficult position, having engaged in a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games over their last two fixtures following an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defence without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window although the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he can provide,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional No 9 role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup if he manages to continue his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes over every other English performer in the Premier League this campaign on six and remains keen to increase that count when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team recently following five difficult years at Tottenham, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four games feature three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad require a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from this position, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance presents itself with seven of their upcoming ten league games facing teams currently in the lower half of the table. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus long balls and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has been absent for his club in a month after picking up a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition triumph in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
