English top flight: 10 things to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another encounter
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to chipping a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the Argentine found the net for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column focus following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a possible mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is predictable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three setups who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an awkward position, experiencing a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate in their last two fixtures after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit lacking a goalless game since August may prove the perfect solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for England
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I am aware what he could provide,” said the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional striker position.” Gaining the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goal-getting exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes compared to any English player in England's top division this campaign with six and remains anxious to increase that count when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided some positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team last year following five tough years in north London, is now a regular starter, operating on the left in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man last season, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' following four fixtures feature three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes in the league so far. A threat emerges for a team that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's squad require a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility arises with seven from their next 10 league games against clubs presently in the bottom half in the league. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against long balls and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not featured for his club for a month having sustained a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League triumph abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but was rested the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
