English top flight: ten key points to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another battle
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet in west London following his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities against Wolves before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to dinking a cross toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine netted for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column treatment amid a claimed £65m release clause for his prospective mid-season move, the media positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected from a wide player who has six goals plus three assists and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an awkward position, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate in their previous two games after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he could offer me,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox centre-forward role.” Having won the final 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup if he can maintain his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals over every other English player in England's top division this season on six and is keen to increase that count when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team last year following five challenging years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists last time round. Fulham's upcoming four matches feature three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a team that have earned a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Isak to perform for the Reds
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's squad require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from here, plus a major boost in performance, and the possibility arises with seven from their upcoming ten league games versus clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and fast breaks that will be in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent for his club for a month after picking up a muscle issue during his second start over a short period in continental competition victory abroad. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
