English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new battle
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and showcased his talents against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before chipping a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster netted for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation treatment amid a claimed £65m release clause for his possible January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an difficult spot, having undergone a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate over their last two games after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he can offer me,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup if he can sustain his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes than any other English footballer in the top flight this campaign with six and will be eager to add to that tally as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his former side last year following five difficult years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. Fulham's upcoming four games feature three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for The striker to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the title race from here, plus a major boost in performance, and the possibility emerges as seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus clubs presently in the lower half of the table. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance when facing direct play and quick transitions that remains under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action over four weeks having sustained a groin injury during his second start over a short period in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match might have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
