English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho set for another clash
A Mancunian rematch could be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is adapting well in west London after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a ideal grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation treatment due to a reported £65m release clause for a possible January departure, the tabloids positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected for a wide player who has six goals plus three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky situation, having engaged in a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games over their past two fixtures after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet facing a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August might be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he is able to give me,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional striker role.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally than any other English player in the top flight this campaign with six and will be anxious to boost that total when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team last year following five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. Fulham's next four games take in three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals this season so far. Danger looms for the club that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's side must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from here, plus a significant upturn in results, and the possibility emerges as seven from their upcoming ten league games versus sides presently in the bottom half in the standings. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance against long balls and fast breaks that is in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action over four weeks following a groin problem during his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League win abroad. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
