English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker set for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his skills against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the youngster scored for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column focus due to a alleged ÂŁ65m buyout clause for his prospective January departure, the media positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected from a wide player who has six goals and three helpers who is delightful to watch. However, his side find themselves in an awkward spot, having undergone a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined in their previous two games after an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi MartĂnez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa however taking on a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field option for England
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I understand what he could offer me,” said the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox striker role.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup if he can maintain his goal-getting performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has additional strikes compared to any English footballer in the top flight this campaign having six and remains anxious to increase that total as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side recently following five challenging years in north London, has become a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four fixtures include three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes this season this season. Danger looms for a side that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's team need a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from their current spot, along with a major improvement in form, and a chance arises as seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches against sides currently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus direct play and fast breaks that will be in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The ÂŁ125m striker has not played for his club for a month after picking up a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe triumph abroad. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match would have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
