English top flight: 10 things to look out for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a ideal grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before lofting a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the former netted for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger key to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation treatment following a reported £65m buyout clause for his potential January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable for a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an awkward spot, experiencing a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games over their past two matches following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout for months could be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he is able to provide,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Having won the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup if he can sustain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes over every other English footballer in the Premier League this term having six and will be keen to add to that total when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team last year after five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man in the last term, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. Fulham's next four fixtures take in three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes this season so far. A threat emerges for a team that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from here, plus a major upturn in results, and a chance presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus sides presently in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured for his club over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in Europe victory in Germany. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
