English top flight: 10 things to look out for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another battle
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea after his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill attention due to a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective mid-season move, the media preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable for a attacker who has six goals and three helpers who is delightful to watch. Still, his side are in an awkward position, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate over their last two fixtures after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but facing a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window although the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he could provide,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox centre-forward role.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes over every other English performer in the Premier League this campaign on six and is anxious to increase that count when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back crucial as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five difficult years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, driving down the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals in the league this season. Danger looms for a side that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for The striker to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's team need a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from their current spot, plus a significant improvement in form, and a chance presents itself as seven from their next 10 Premier League matches against clubs at the moment in the lower half in the league. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played at club level for a month following a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League victory abroad. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
