English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new battle
Another northwest showdown could be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well in west London following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities against Wolves before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a ideal grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before dinking a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine scored for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill treatment due to a claimed £65m escape clause for a potential January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected from a attacker with six goals plus three assists who is joyous to watch. Still, his side occupy an awkward situation, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate in their past two matches after an strong beginning to the season. 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 could be the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside choice for England
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I am aware what he could offer me,” commented the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox centre-forward position.” Having won the final 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he can maintain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally than any other English footballer in the Premier League this term having six and is keen to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back crucial as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his former side recently after five challenging years with Spurs, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four fixtures include three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for the club that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to perform for the Reds
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The manager's side need a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from their current spot, as well as a major upturn in results, and opportunity emerges as seven from their upcoming ten league games against teams currently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing long balls and quick transitions that is in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent in domestic action in a month after picking up a muscle issue while his second start in quick succession in continental competition victory in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
