English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new battle
Another northwest showdown might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle in west London after his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to dinking a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill treatment following a alleged £65m release clause for a possible mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected from a wide player with six finishes plus three setups and is joyous to watch. Still, his team occupy an difficult situation, having undergone a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined over their previous two matches after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a backline that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside shout for the national team
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he could provide,” said the England coach. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox striker role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup provided he can continue his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals over every other English footballer in the top flight this season having six and will be eager to boost that count as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back needed as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team last year following five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' following four fixtures include three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's squad require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the title race from here, plus a significant boost in performance, and the possibility arises as seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus teams at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat on the champions in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus long balls and quick transitions that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent in domestic action for a month having sustained a groin problem during his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League triumph abroad. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking on Tuesday would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient