English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new clash
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his abilities in the Wolves match before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to chipping a ball to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill treatment due to a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected for a attacker who has six finishes plus three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. Still, his team occupy an awkward situation, having undergone a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined in their past two matches following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit without a goalless game since August could be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field option for the national team
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I know what he can offer me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional No 9 position.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally over every other English performer in England's top division this season with six and is keen to boost that count as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who returned to his youth team recently following five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures feature three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a side that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's team require a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from here, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself as seven out of their following ten league games facing teams presently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against long balls and fast breaks that will be in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured at club level over four weeks following a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient