English top flight: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho set for a new clash
Another northwest showdown might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a flawless grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine netted for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill focus due to a claimed £65m release clause for his potential January departure, the tabloids preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable for a attacker who has six goals and three assists and is delightful to watch. However, his side are in an difficult spot, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate over their past two games after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet confronting a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game since August might be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside shout for the national team
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he could give me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional No 9 role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup if he is able to continue his scoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally compared to any English player in England's top division this campaign having six and remains anxious to increase that tally when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his former side recently after five tough years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. The Cottagers' next four matches take in three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals this season to date. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad require a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from here, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and opportunity emerges with seven of their next 10 league games facing teams at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display against direct play and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action in a month following a muscle issue during his second start in four days in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
