English top flight: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh clash
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet in west London after his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to chipping a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the former netted for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column focus due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for a potential January departure, the tabloids preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable from a wide player with six finishes and three assists who is delightful to watch. However, his team are in an awkward position, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games over their past two games after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit without a clean sheet since August may prove the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside option for England
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I know what he is able to provide,” commented the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional striker position.” Gaining the final 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup if he is able to continue his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes than any other English player in England's top division this term having six and is eager to boost that total as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five difficult years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, driving down the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' following four fixtures feature three among the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals this season so far. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's side need a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from this position, plus a major upturn in results, and opportunity emerges with seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus teams currently in the lower half in the league. The threat 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 showing against aerial passes and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action for a month following a muscle issue while his second consecutive start in four days in Europe victory in Germany. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
