English top flight: 10 things to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new battle
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a flawless grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster scored for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column attention following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a potential winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable from a winger who has six goals plus three assists and remains joyous to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an tricky spot, experiencing a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games over their last two fixtures following an promising start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit without a clean sheet for months may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for the national team
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I understand what he is able to provide,” commented the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox No 9 role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally compared to any English performer in the top flight this campaign with six and will be keen to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided some comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team recently after five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last time round. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures include three among the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals in the league to date. Danger looms for the club that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's squad require a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from this position, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself with seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus sides currently in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against long balls and counterattacks that will be in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played for his club in a month following a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League win abroad. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
