English top flight: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another battle
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet in west London after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before dinking a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the former found the net for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill attention following a reported £65m escape clause for a potential winter exit, the media setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected for a winger with six goals and three assists who is joyous to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an difficult position, experiencing a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one over two games in their previous two matches after an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout for months may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I understand what he can give me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox striker position.” Earning the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his scoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally compared to any English performer in the top flight this campaign with six and remains keen to increase that total when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five challenging years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left side with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. The Cottagers' next four matches take in three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for a side that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The manager's side require a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, as well as a major upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself with seven out of their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus sides currently in the lower half of the table. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus long balls and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent for his club for a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second consecutive start in four days in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
