English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker ready for another clash
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea after his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his abilities against Wolves before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before chipping a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine scored for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column focus following a claimed £65m release clause for his potential mid-season move, the media positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected for a attacker who has six goals plus three setups and is joyous to watch. However, his side are in an tricky position, having undergone a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate in their previous two games following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa but facing a defence without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a left-field shout for the national team
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he could give me,” said the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional No 9 role.” Having won the last of his 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has additional strikes compared to any English player in the Premier League this term having six and will be anxious to boost that total when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided some warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five challenging years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer last season, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' next four matches include three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for The striker to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad require a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from here, plus a major boost in performance, and the possibility emerges with seven of their following ten Premier League matches versus teams at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus long balls and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent for his club for a month following a muscle issue during his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe win in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
