English top flight: ten key points to look out for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another battle
Another northwest showdown may be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Manchester United and showcased his abilities against Wolves before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a perfect grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before chipping a delivery toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former netted for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column attention following a reported £65m release clause for his possible January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. This is to be expected from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his team find themselves in an difficult position, experiencing a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate over their past two matches following an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defence lacking a shutout since August might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck a left-field option for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he could give me,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox No 9 role.” Earning the final 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup if he is able to sustain his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals over every other English player in the top flight this season with six and remains eager to boost that count when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some warmth to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team last year after five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' next four fixtures include three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the Premier League so far. A threat emerges for a side that have built a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from here, along with a major boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself as seven of their upcoming ten league games versus sides presently in the bottom half in the league. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action for a month having sustained a muscle issue when making his second start in four days in the Champions League triumph abroad. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
