English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new battle
Another northwest showdown might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills against Wolves prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to chipping a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill treatment following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a potential winter exit, the media setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable from a attacker with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and remains delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an awkward spot, experiencing a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games in their last two matches following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet confronting a defence lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I understand what he could offer me,” said the England boss. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox striker position.” Earning the final 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes than any other English footballer in England's top division this term with six and will be eager to increase that count as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club recently after five tough years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches feature three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals in the league to date. A threat emerges for the club that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's team need a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from this position, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself with seven out of their next 10 league games versus clubs presently in the bottom half of the table. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against aerial passes and counterattacks that remains in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent in domestic action for a month having sustained a muscle issue when making his second start in quick succession in continental competition win abroad. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
