English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho set for a new encounter
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is finding his feet in west London after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his talents in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former found the net for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete transfer speculation focus amid a alleged £65m escape clause for his potential winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists and remains joyous to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an difficult position, experiencing a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one combined over their previous two matches following an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however confronting a backline that hasn't kept a shutout since August could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for the national team
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he can provide,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional striker position.” Earning the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals than any other English player in the Premier League this term having six and will be anxious to add to that total when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back required as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team last year after five challenging years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, driving down the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four games include three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the league this season. Danger looms for the club that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's team must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from here, along with a major improvement in form, and a chance arises as seven from their following ten league games against teams at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against aerial passes and quick transitions that will be in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not played at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition victory in Germany. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking on Tuesday might have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
