English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another encounter
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a perfect low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster found the net for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation attention due to a claimed £65m release clause for his possible mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable for a winger with six finishes plus three assists who is joyous to watch. Still, his team are in an awkward position, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined in their past two fixtures following an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit lacking a shutout for months may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field option for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window even though the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he is able to give me,” said the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional striker role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally compared to any English player in the Premier League this season having six and will be anxious to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side recently following five difficult years in north London, has become a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four matches take in three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals in the league to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's team need a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from this position, plus a significant improvement in form, and a chance presents itself as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures facing teams at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus long balls and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue when making his second start in quick succession in the Champions League win in Germany. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
