English top flight: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker set for a new clash
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet in west London after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster scored for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill attention following a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the media preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable from a attacker who has six goals and three helpers and remains joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an difficult situation, experiencing a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate in their previous two games after an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a backline lacking a shutout for months could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside option for the national team
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I know what he can provide,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox No 9 role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes than any other English footballer in the top flight this campaign with six and is anxious to increase that total as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side last year after five challenging years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' next four fixtures include three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals in the Premier League so far. A threat emerges for a team that have built a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's squad must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from this position, along with a significant boost in performance, and a chance emerges with seven out of their following ten Premier League matches against teams at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not featured for his club in a month following a groin injury when making his second start in four days in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
