English top flight: 10 things to look out for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another encounter
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to lofting a delivery to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column treatment due to a reported £65m buyout clause for his possible January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is predictable from a wide player who has six finishes plus three setups who is delightful to watch. However, his team are in an difficult position, experiencing a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven-one combined over their last two games following an strong start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months may prove the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for England
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I know what he is able to give me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional centre-forward position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally than any other English performer in England's top division this term having six and will be eager to boost that count when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side last year after five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker last season, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. Fulham's following four fixtures include three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores this season this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's team require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from here, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against sides presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing against long balls and quick transitions that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent at club level in a month having sustained a muscle issue while his second start in quick succession in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his readiness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
