English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures


Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new encounter

A Mancunian rematch may be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well in west London following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a ideal grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former scored for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.

Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)


2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slump

Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill attention following a reported £65m buyout clause for a prospective mid-season move, the media setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable from a attacker who has six goals plus three assists and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his team are in an difficult spot, having undergone a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined over their last two games after an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defence lacking a clean sheet for months might be the best remedy.

Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock


3. Welbeck a left-field option for England

It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I am aware what he could provide,” stated the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional centre-forward role.” Having won the final 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his scoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals compared to any English performer in the Premier League this campaign having six and will be anxious to boost that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock


The full-back needed as playmaker and finisher

The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team recently following five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four games include three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes this season this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a name for mid-table stability.

Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm


5. Time for Isak to deliver for the Reds

The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's squad need a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from this position, plus a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility arises as seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against sides presently in the bottom half of the table. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus direct play and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured at club level in a month having sustained a groin injury while his second start in four days in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient

Nicole White
Nicole White

A tech enthusiast and software developer with a passion for exploring emerging technologies and sharing practical insights.