English top flight: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another battle
A Manchester reunion may be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea following his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to chipping a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster netted for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill focus due to a alleged £65m release clause for a potential winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is predictable from a attacker with six finishes and three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth find themselves in an awkward situation, experiencing a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate over their previous two games following an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa but facing a defence lacking a goalless game for months may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I know what he can give me,” stated the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional No 9 role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he can continue his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals than any other English performer in the Premier League this campaign having six and will be eager to add to that count as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back needed as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side last year following five tough years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. Fulham's following four fixtures take in three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the league to date. A threat emerges for a team that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad need a sustained recovery to enter the championship chase from this position, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance arises as seven from their next 10 Premier League matches versus clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus aerial passes and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured for his club for a month having sustained a groin problem while his second start over a short period in continental competition victory abroad. He reappeared from the bench in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
