English top flight: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker set for a fresh clash
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to dinking a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the youngster found the net for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire gossip column treatment following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a potential January departure, the media setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected from a winger who has six goals and three setups and is delightful to watch. However, his team are in an tricky position, having undergone a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined in their past two fixtures following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game for months might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a left-field option for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he can offer me,” said the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox striker position.” Gaining the final 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals over every other English player in the top flight this term having six and remains anxious to add to that count when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team last year following five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' next four fixtures take in three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals this season to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's squad need a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from this position, plus a major upturn in results, and the possibility arises with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing clubs presently in the lower half of the table. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against direct play and quick transitions that remains in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in four days in Europe win in Germany. He reappeared from the bench in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
