English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho set for another clash
A Mancunian rematch may be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before dinking a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill focus due to a claimed £65m release clause for a potential winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. However, his side are in an difficult position, having undergone a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined over their previous two matches after an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa but confronting a backline lacking a goalless game since August may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a left-field option for the national team
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I know what he could give me,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional No 9 position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals over every other English player in England's top division this season with six and is eager to boost that count when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided some positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side recently following five challenging years in north London, has become a regular starter, operating on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four fixtures include three among the top five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the league to date. Danger looms for a team that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's team must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity emerges as seven of their following ten Premier League matches against clubs presently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured at club level over four weeks following a muscle issue when making his second start in quick succession in continental competition triumph in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
