English top flight: 10 things to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh clash
A Mancunian rematch could be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle in west London following his summer move from the Red Devils and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to chipping a ball to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former found the net for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
The winger key to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill treatment due to a claimed £65m release clause for his possible winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an awkward position, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate over their past two games after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa but confronting a backline without a clean sheet for months could be the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck a left-field option for the national team
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he is able to give me,” said the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox striker position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes compared to any English player in England's top division this campaign having six and will be eager to boost that total when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back required as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team last year following five challenging years in north London, has become a regular starter, driving down the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals this season so far. A threat emerges for the club that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's side require a prolonged upturn to enter the league contest from their current spot, along with a significant upturn in results, and opportunity arises as seven of their next 10 league games facing sides currently in the lower half of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display against aerial passes and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action in a month having sustained a groin problem when making his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe triumph abroad. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
