English top flight: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion may be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to dinking a ball toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster netted for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column treatment following a reported £65m escape clause for a potential winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable from a attacker with six finishes plus three helpers and remains delightful to watch. However, his side are in an awkward spot, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined in their last two matches following an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa however facing a defensive unit lacking a goalless game for months could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he could offer me,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional No 9 role.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally than any other English player in the top flight this campaign with six and is keen to add to that total when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back needed as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team last year following five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four matches take in three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's squad require a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from this position, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance arises with seven out of their next 10 league games versus clubs at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing against direct play and quick transitions that remains in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The expensive signing has been absent for his club in a month after picking up a groin problem when making his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
