English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion may be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before dinking a cross toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine netted for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire transfer speculation focus amid a claimed £65m escape clause for his potential mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected for a winger who has six finishes plus three assists who is delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth are in an tricky situation, having engaged in a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined over their previous two fixtures after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa however facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout since August may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside option for the national team
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he could offer me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional No 9 role.” Gaining the final 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes compared to any English performer in the top flight this campaign having six and is keen to increase that count as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' following four matches take in three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores in the league so far. Danger looms for a team that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's side need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from this position, along with a major improvement in form, and a chance emerges with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures against teams presently in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against direct play and fast breaks that will be in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has been absent at club level in a month having sustained a groin problem when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe triumph abroad. Isak returned off the bench during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
