English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker set for a new battle
A Manchester reunion might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills against Wolves prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill focus amid a reported £65m release clause for a potential January departure, the tabloids positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable from a winger who has six finishes and three assists and remains delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an difficult spot, experiencing a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games over their past two fixtures following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside option for the national team
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he can provide,” said the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional striker role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally over every other English player in the top flight this season having six and is keen to boost that count when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side last year following five difficult years in north London, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. Fulham's next four fixtures take in three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals this season to date. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The manager's squad need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from here, plus a major upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself as seven of their following ten league games against sides presently in the bottom ten in the league. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance versus direct play and counterattacks that is in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent for his club for a month after picking up a groin injury during his second consecutive start in four days in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
