English top flight: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another encounter
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to lofting a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger crucial to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill focus following a claimed £65m buyout clause for his potential January departure, the media positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable for a wide player who has six finishes plus three assists and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an awkward situation, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate over their previous two matches after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet taking on a backline without a shutout for months could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he can give me,” said the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional No 9 role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally than any other English player in England's top division this term having six and will be keen to increase that total when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as assist provider and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team last year after five tough years at Tottenham, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man last season, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four matches include three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's side must have a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a significant upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself as seven of their following ten league games against sides at the moment in the lower half in the league. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus long balls and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has not played at club level for a month after picking up a muscle issue while his second start over a short period in the Champions League win in Germany. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
