English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another battle
Another northwest showdown could be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet in west London after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and showcased his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill focus amid a reported £65m release clause for a possible winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his side occupy an difficult position, having undergone a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate over their last two matches after an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet confronting a backline lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup provided he is able to continue his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally over every other English performer in the Premier League this campaign with six and will be eager to increase that total when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side last year following five tough years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four games include three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes this season this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's team need a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from their current spot, plus a significant boost in performance, and a chance emerges with seven out of their following ten league games versus teams presently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action for a month following a groin problem when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday would have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient