English top flight: 10 things to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another battle
A Mancunian rematch might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and showcased his skills against Wolves before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to dinking a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? When the former netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger key to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation attention due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for his possible winter exit, the media setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth find themselves in an awkward spot, experiencing a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games in their last two matches after an promising start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet facing a backline that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for England
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he can give me,” said the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox centre-forward position.” Earning the last of his 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals than any other English footballer in the top flight this term with six and remains keen to boost that total as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back needed as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side last year after five difficult years in north London, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. Fulham's upcoming four matches take in three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's team must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from their current spot, as well as a major improvement in form, and the possibility arises with seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs at the moment in the lower half of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance against long balls and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin injury during his second start in four days in the Champions League victory abroad. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking in that match could have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
