English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another clash
A Manchester reunion may be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before lofting a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the former netted for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete transfer speculation attention following a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective mid-season move, the tabloids positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable for a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three assists and remains delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an awkward spot, having undergone a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate in their last two games following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa but confronting a backline without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window although the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he could provide,” commented the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox No 9 role.” Earning the final 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his scoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes than any other English footballer in the top flight this term with six and will be anxious to boost that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team last year after five challenging years in north London, has become a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. Fulham's next four games include three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine strikes in the league so far. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's team require a consistent improvement to enter the championship chase from here, as well as a major upturn in results, and the possibility arises with seven of their next 10 league games against teams currently in the lower half of the table. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against long balls and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played at club level for a month after picking up a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
