English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and showcased his abilities against Wolves before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to lofting a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the former found the net for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column attention following a claimed £65m escape clause for his potential January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable for a wide player with six goals plus three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. However, his side find themselves in an difficult position, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate in their past two fixtures after an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout for months might be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a surprise shout for England
It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not being familiar with him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional No 9 position.” Gaining the final 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his goal-getting performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals over every other English footballer in the Premier League this campaign on six and is keen to increase that count when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back needed as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team recently following five tough years in north London, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' next four fixtures include three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The manager's side need a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from here, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility emerges with seven of their next 10 league games facing clubs presently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display against direct play and counterattacks that will be in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured for his club for a month after picking up a groin problem while his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
