English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another clash
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine scored for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column treatment amid a alleged £65m release clause for a possible January departure, the media preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected for a winger with six finishes plus three assists and is delightful to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an tricky situation, having engaged in a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games over their last two games after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet confronting a backline without a clean sheet for months may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a surprise option for England
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break although the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he is able to give me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox striker position.” Earning the final 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup if he can continue his scoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally compared to any English performer in the Premier League this term on six and will be keen to boost that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his former side recently following five challenging years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, operating on the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. Fulham's next four matches take in three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for the club that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side require a sustained recovery to enter the championship chase from their current spot, plus a major improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself as seven of their next 10 Premier League matches against sides at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The expensive signing has been absent for his club for a month having sustained a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League triumph in Germany. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
