English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh clash
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before lofting a delivery toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former netted for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column focus due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for his potential winter exit, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. This is predictable for a winger with six finishes and three helpers and is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an difficult position, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate over their last two games following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa however taking on a defensive unit without a goalless game for months could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window even though the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he could offer me,” said the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes than any other English player in the top flight this season on six and is anxious to add to that total when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five difficult years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures take in three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine scores in the Premier League so far. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from here, plus a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus sides at the moment in the lower half in the league. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus long balls and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has not played for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin injury while his second start in four days in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match would have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
