English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet in west London after his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before lofting a ball to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill focus amid a claimed £65m release clause for a possible mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected for a winger with six finishes and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. However, his side occupy an tricky position, having undergone a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven to one combined in their last two matches after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise shout for the national team
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window although the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he can give me,” stated the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional striker role.” Having won the final 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally over every other English footballer in the top flight this season having six and will be keen to increase that count as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back crucial as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club last year after five challenging years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four matches take in three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals this season this season. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's team must have a consistent improvement to enter the title race from this position, as well as a major upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself as seven of their upcoming ten league games versus teams presently in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus long balls and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action for a month after picking up a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
