English top flight: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another battle
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well in west London after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to chipping a delivery to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hรธjlund, was a indication of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill treatment due to a alleged ยฃ65m release clause for his possible mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable for a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. However, his team are in an difficult position, experiencing a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one combined in their previous two matches after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martรญnez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but taking on a backline lacking a clean sheet for months could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. โEven without having met him, I know what he can provide,โ said the England boss. โHe might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox striker role.โ Having won the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup if he can continue his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally compared to any English performer in the top flight this term having six and will be eager to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team last year following five difficult years at Tottenham, is now a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. Fulham's following four matches include three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a team that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's team require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from here, as well as a significant improvement in form, and opportunity arises as seven out of their next 10 league games facing clubs at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus direct play and quick transitions that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has not played at club level over four weeks following a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition triumph abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
