English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker has started to settle in west London following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his skills in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a ideal grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the former netted for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger key to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill attention following a claimed £65m release clause for a possible January departure, the media positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable from a attacker who has six goals plus three assists who is delightful to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an difficult position, having engaged in a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate in their past two matches following an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field option for the Three Lions
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he could offer me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional striker role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup if he can sustain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals compared to any English performer in the top flight this term on six and will be eager to boost that total as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five challenging years in north London, is now a regular starter, operating on the left in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' following four games take in three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes in the league so far. Danger looms for a team that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for The striker to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's side need a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from this position, as well as a significant upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself with seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures against sides at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing long balls and quick transitions that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured at club level for a month after picking up a groin problem when making his second appearance in the lineup in four days in Europe victory in Germany. Isak returned off the bench during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
