English top flight: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker set for a new battle
A Manchester reunion could be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is adapting well in west London after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his skills in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before dinking a ball to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column treatment following a claimed £65m escape clause for his prospective winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable from a winger with six goals and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth find themselves in an difficult situation, experiencing a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games in their past two matches following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but confronting a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months could be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker an outside option for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I know what he can offer me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox No 9 role.” Having won the final 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals over every other English player in the Premier League this season having six and is eager to increase that total when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team recently following five tough 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's also their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last time round. Fulham's next four matches take in three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores this season so far. Danger looms for a side that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side need a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from here, along with a significant upturn in results, and a chance presents itself as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs currently in the lower half in the league. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that remains in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent at club level for a month having sustained a groin problem during his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League triumph in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
