English top flight: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh battle
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before lofting a ball toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former netted for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation treatment amid a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective mid-season move, the tabloids setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable for a wide player with six finishes plus three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an awkward situation, having undergone a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined over their past two games after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet taking on a defence that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a surprise choice for England
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window although the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he can offer me,” said the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox centre-forward position.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup if he can continue his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally compared to any English footballer in the top flight this term with six and will be anxious to increase that count as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back needed as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four games take in three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores in the league to date. Danger looms for a team that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's side need a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from here, plus a significant upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself as seven from their following ten Premier League matches against teams presently in the bottom half in the standings. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance when facing direct play and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not featured at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin injury while his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
