English top flight: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker set for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle in west London following his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before lofting a ball toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the youngster netted for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column treatment amid a reported £65m buyout clause for a potential winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable for a attacker with six finishes plus three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an tricky situation, having undergone a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games in their last two games after an promising start to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa however facing a defence lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for England
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he can give me,” said the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox striker role.” Having won the final 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he manages to maintain his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally than any other English footballer in the top flight this term with six and is keen to add to that total when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back needed as creator and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team last year following five challenging years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four matches feature three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine scores in the league to date. Danger looms for the club that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for The striker to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's side require a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from this position, plus a significant upturn in results, and opportunity arises as seven of their upcoming ten league games against teams at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing long balls and quick transitions that remains under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not featured at club level over four weeks after picking up a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe triumph in Germany. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
