English top flight: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker ready for another battle
A Manchester reunion could be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before lofting a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine scored for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger crucial to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column attention amid a reported £65m buyout clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected from a winger who has six finishes and three setups and is pleasurable to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an difficult position, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one combined in their previous two fixtures following 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 however confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for the national team
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker reaches 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he could offer me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional striker role.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes than any other English footballer in the top flight this season with six and will be eager to boost that count when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team last year following five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures take in three among the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals this season to date. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad need a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from here, as well as a significant boost in performance, and the possibility arises as seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus sides presently in the bottom ten in the league. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus direct play and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent at club level for a month after picking up a groin injury while his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition win abroad. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
