English top flight: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new clash
A Manchester reunion could be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well in west London following his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities against Wolves before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a perfect grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before lofting a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column focus due to a alleged £65m escape clause for his possible January departure, the media setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is understandable from a winger with a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers who is joyous to watch. However, his team find themselves in an tricky spot, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined in their past two games following an promising start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa however facing a backline that hasn't kept a shutout since August might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I am aware what he can provide,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox centre-forward role.” Having won the final 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals over every other English footballer in England's top division this campaign on six and remains anxious to increase that tally when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as playmaker and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club recently after five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man in the last term, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver in a creative role instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three among the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes in the Premier League so far. A threat emerges for a team that have built a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for The striker to perform for the Merseyside club
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's side must have a consistent improvement to enter the title race from this position, as well as a major improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself as seven of their following ten Premier League matches against clubs currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and counterattacks that will be in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured at club level in a month following a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in four days in Europe win abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
