English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh battle
Another northwest showdown might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well in west London following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his talents in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former netted for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill attention due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for his possible winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected for a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three assists who is delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky spot, experiencing a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate over their past two matches following an strong start to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game since August could be the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside option for England
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window although the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he is able to give me,” said the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Earning the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals compared to any English player in the Premier League this season with six and is anxious to increase that count when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his former side last year after five challenging years with Spurs, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures include three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the Premier League so far. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's squad require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from here, along with a significant upturn in results, and a chance presents itself with seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against teams presently in the lower half in the league. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance versus direct play and fast breaks that will be in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured for his club in a month after picking up a groin problem during his second start in four days in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
