English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new clash
Another northwest showdown could be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle in west London after his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the former found the net for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column treatment amid a reported £65m buyout clause for his potential winter exit, the media preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a wide player who has six finishes and three assists who is joyous to watch. However, his team find themselves in an difficult situation, having undergone a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate in their last two fixtures following an strong start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa however taking on a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season could be the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause although the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I know what he can provide,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional striker position.” Earning the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes compared to any English footballer in the top flight this campaign having six and is anxious to increase that count as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club recently following five tough years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, operating on the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man last season, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' next four fixtures include three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine strikes this season so far. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's squad require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from this position, as well as a major improvement in form, and opportunity arises as seven of their upcoming ten league games against sides presently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus direct play and quick transitions that remains under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured at club level over four weeks after picking up a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition victory in Germany. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday might have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
