English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another clash
A Manchester reunion could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well in west London after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his talents in the Wolves match before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to dinking a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the former scored for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill treatment amid a reported £65m release clause for his prospective winter exit, the media positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable from a attacker with six goals and three setups who is joyous to watch. Still, his side are in an difficult situation, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate in their last two games after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field choice for England
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break even though the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he can give me,” commented the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally than any other English performer in England's top division this season on six and is anxious to boost that count when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back required as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided some comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side recently following five difficult years at Tottenham, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four fixtures include three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine scores this season to date. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for The striker to perform for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's squad must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from here, as well as a major improvement in form, and a chance emerges as seven of their following ten Premier League matches against clubs at the moment in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus long balls and counterattacks that remains in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has not played at club level in a month having sustained a groin problem when making his second start in quick succession in continental competition triumph in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
