English top flight: 10 things to look out for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new clash
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before dinking a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster netted for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill focus due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for his potential winter exit, the media positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. That is predictable for a winger with six finishes plus three setups who is delightful to watch. However, his side are in an tricky situation, experiencing a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate over their last two fixtures following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence without a shutout for months might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for England
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he can give me,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Earning the final 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally over every other English player in England's top division this campaign with six and is keen to increase that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club last year after five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer last season, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four games include three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine scores in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's team must have a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from here, plus a major improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself with seven from their following ten Premier League matches against clubs presently in the lower half in the league. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus long balls and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action in a month having sustained a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition victory in Germany. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
