English top flight: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet in west London after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his abilities against Wolves before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill treatment following a claimed £65m release clause for a potential January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is understandable for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and remains joyous to watch. Still, his side are in an difficult situation, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined over their previous two fixtures following an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet taking on a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a surprise option for England
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he could give me,” said the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 position.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup if he manages to maintain his scoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals over every other English performer in England's top division this campaign with six and will be anxious to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team recently following five tough years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures include three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the league so far. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for The striker to perform for the Reds
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's team need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from their current spot, as well as a significant improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself with seven out of their upcoming ten league games against teams currently in the lower half in the standings. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has not played at club level for a month following a muscle issue during his second start in quick succession in continental competition win in Germany. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient