English top flight: ten key points to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another battle
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before lofting a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? During the Argentine scored for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill treatment following a reported £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable for a attacker who has six finishes plus three setups who is joyous to watch. Still, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky situation, having undergone a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter with successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate in their past two fixtures after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa however facing a defence lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for England
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 soon. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he could give me,” said the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox No 9 role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals than any other English performer in the Premier League this term on six and is eager to add to that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. The Cottagers' following four games take in three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for the club that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for The striker to perform for the Reds
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's squad require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from here, as well as a significant improvement in form, and opportunity emerges as seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus teams presently in the lower half in the league. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not featured for his club for a month having sustained a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
