English top flight: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another battle
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and showcased his abilities against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the former netted for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete transfer speculation attention amid a reported £65m release clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his team find themselves in an awkward spot, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games in their previous two fixtures after an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa however confronting a defence that hasn't kept a shutout for months may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker an outside choice for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he can give me,” stated the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox centre-forward role.” Earning the final 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup if he is able to continue his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes than any other English player in the top flight this season having six and remains keen to boost that count as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club last year following five tough years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last time round. Fulham's following four matches take in three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine scores this season to date. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's squad require a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from this position, as well as a major upturn in results, and the possibility arises with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus clubs presently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against aerial passes and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured in domestic action for a month after picking up a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe victory abroad. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
