English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh clash
Another northwest showdown could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to chipping a ball toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine scored for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill attention following a alleged ÂŁ65m buyout clause for a prospective winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers who is delightful to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an difficult position, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games in their past two fixtures after an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi MartĂnez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but facing a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I know what he could give me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup assuming he can sustain his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals than any other English player in England's top division this season having six and is anxious to add to that total as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back required as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided some comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club last year following five challenging years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' next four fixtures include three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals this season so far. Danger looms for the club that have earned a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's team must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from here, plus a major improvement in form, and opportunity arises with seven from their next 10 Premier League matches against sides at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus direct play and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action in a month following a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game could have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
