English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another clash
A Manchester reunion might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before lofting a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine scored for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column treatment due to a reported £65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the media positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. That is predictable for a attacker who has six finishes plus three helpers who is delightful to watch. Still, his team occupy an difficult spot, having undergone a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate in their previous two fixtures following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit lacking a goalless game since August may prove the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a surprise option for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he is able to provide,” said the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional No 9 position.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup provided he can continue his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally compared to any English footballer in the top flight this campaign with six and is eager to boost that count when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four fixtures take in three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores in the Premier League this season. Danger looms for the club that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's squad need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from here, along with a significant boost in performance, and opportunity emerges as seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches against teams at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and counterattacks that is in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played for his club in a month after picking up a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition victory abroad. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
