English top flight: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker set for another clash
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well in west London after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before lofting a delivery to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger key to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column attention following a alleged £65m release clause for his potential January departure, the media setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an tricky situation, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 over two games over their previous two fixtures following an strong opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet confronting a backline lacking a goalless game since August might be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise option for England
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I understand what he could offer me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional centre-forward role.” Having won the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he can continue his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this season on six and is keen to add to that total as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side last year after five challenging years with Spurs, is now a regular starter, driving down the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches take in three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes in the league to date. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for The striker to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's team need a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from their current spot, as well as a dramatic upturn in results, and opportunity arises with seven of their upcoming ten league games versus clubs presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and quick transitions that remains under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent for his club in a month following a muscle issue during his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
