English top flight: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures


Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh battle

Another northwest showdown might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea following his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to dinking a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.

Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)


Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slump

Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill attention following a claimed £65m buyout clause for his prospective winter exit, the media setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is predictable for a winger who has six goals and three helpers who is joyous to watch. Still, his team are in an awkward spot, experiencing a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined in their last two matches following an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but confronting a backline that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect tonic.

Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM


The striker a surprise choice for the Three Lions

It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I know what he can offer me,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional centre-forward position.” Having won the final 42 caps several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup provided he manages to continue his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally compared to any English player in the top flight this term with six and will be eager to add to that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.

Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm


The full-back required as assist provider and goalscorer

Sessegnon's story has provided some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team recently following five challenging years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker last season, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' next four games feature three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes this season to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock


The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds

The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's side need a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from their current spot, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance presents itself as seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures against teams currently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus direct play and quick transitions that is in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured for his club over four weeks after picking up a groin injury when making his second start over a short period in Europe victory in Germany. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient

Jason Mitchell
Jason Mitchell

Milan is een ervaren opticien met een passie voor visuele technologie en klantgerichtheid.

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