English top flight: 10 things to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to lofting a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation focus following a alleged £65m release clause for his prospective winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected for a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three assists who is pleasurable to watch. However, his team find themselves in an awkward position, experiencing a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate over their previous two games following an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August could be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field option for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he can offer me,” said the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional No 9 position.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals compared to any English player in the top flight this season on six and will be keen to boost that total as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his former side last year following five challenging years in north London, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures take in three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the Premier League this season. Danger looms for a team that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's side require a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself as seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures against teams currently in the bottom half in the league. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display against long balls and counterattacks that remains in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played for his club for a month after picking up a groin injury while his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
