English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and showcased his skills against Wolves prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before dinking a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? When the former netted for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill focus following a claimed £65m release clause for a prospective mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes and three helpers who is joyous to watch. Still, Bournemouth find themselves in an awkward situation, having undergone a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined in their previous two fixtures after an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defence lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field option for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he is able to offer me,” commented the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox centre-forward role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup if he is able to continue his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally over every other English player in England's top division this season with six and remains keen to increase that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back required as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side last year after five tough years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures feature three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for the club that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's side require a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from here, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself with seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches versus clubs presently in the bottom ten in the league. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display against aerial passes and quick transitions that remains in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured in domestic action over four weeks following a groin injury during his second start in four days in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
