English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea after his summer move from Manchester United and showcased his skills in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to lofting a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger vital to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation treatment amid a reported £65m escape clause for his possible January departure, the tabloids positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable from a attacker who has six goals plus three helpers and is joyous to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an awkward situation, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games over their last two matches following an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season could be the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker an outside choice for the Three Lions
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he can give me,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional No 9 position.” Earning the final 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals over every other English footballer in the top flight this term having six and is keen to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club last year after five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' following four games take in three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the league this season. Danger looms for a side that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for The striker to perform for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's side must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from here, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility emerges as seven from their next 10 league games versus clubs presently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus direct play and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action for a month after picking up a muscle issue while his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but was rested the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
