English top flight: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho set for another encounter
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle in west London following his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a perfect low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill focus amid a reported £65m escape clause for his potential mid-season move, the tabloids positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable from a winger who has six finishes and three setups and is joyous to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an tricky situation, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined in their last two matches following an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet facing a defence that hasn't kept a shutout since August may prove the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for England
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break although the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he can offer me,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional No 9 role.” Earning the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes than any other English performer in the top flight this campaign having six and will be anxious to add to that count as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side last year following five challenging years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, operating on the left side with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' next four fixtures feature three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for a team that have built a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's team must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the title race from this position, as well as a major upturn in results, and the possibility arises as seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display against aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not featured at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin problem when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe triumph in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
