English top flight: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new clash
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well in west London after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his talents in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before lofting a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill treatment following a alleged £65m buyout clause for his potential winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected from a wide player with six goals and three setups who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an tricky situation, having undergone a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate over their previous two games following an strong opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but facing a backline lacking a clean sheet for months could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for the national team
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he can give me,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional striker position.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup if he can sustain his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals over every other English footballer in the top flight this term with six and remains keen to add to that tally when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his youth team recently after five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating 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 Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four games feature three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the league so far. Danger looms for the club that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for The striker to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's side must have a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from this position, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself as seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures against clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing long balls and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played at club level in a month after picking up a groin problem when making his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
