English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet in west London following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his talents against Wolves before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before lofting a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the former netted for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill attention following a alleged £65m release clause for a possible mid-season move, the media setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected from a winger who has six goals and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. However, his team occupy an tricky situation, experiencing a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined over their previous two fixtures following an promising start to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet for months may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a left-field option for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he can provide,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox striker role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup if he manages to continue his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals over every other English player in the top flight this campaign having six and will be keen to boost that total when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club last year after five tough years with Spurs, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' next four matches include three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a side that have developed a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad need a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, along with a significant improvement in form, and a chance presents itself as seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus teams currently in the bottom half in the standings. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and counterattacks that remains in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin problem during his second consecutive start in four days in continental competition victory abroad. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
