English top flight: 10 things to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another clash
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and showcased his talents against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before chipping a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster scored for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation focus following a reported £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable from a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an awkward spot, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games over their past two fixtures after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit without a clean sheet for months could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window although the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I know what he could give me,” said the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional centre-forward position.” Earning the last of his 42 England games several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes over every other English player in England's top division this season with six and remains anxious to increase that total when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon required as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided some warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team recently following five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. Fulham's next four matches include three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores this season so far. Danger looms for a team that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The manager's squad require a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility emerges with seven out of their following ten league games facing clubs at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played for his club for a month following a groin injury while his second start in quick succession in Europe triumph in Germany. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday could have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
