English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for another clash
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before dinking a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger key to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column attention amid a reported £65m release clause for a possible January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable from a wide player who has six goals and three setups who is pleasurable to watch. However, his team are in an difficult spot, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate over their last two games following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however confronting a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he is able to offer me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional No 9 role.” Having won the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes than any other English footballer in the Premier League this campaign having six and is eager to add to that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team last year after five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' next four games feature three among the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for a team that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for The striker to produce for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's squad need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from here, plus a major boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself with seven from their next 10 league games against clubs at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action for a month following a muscle issue while his second start in quick succession in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
