English top flight: 10 things to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh battle
Another northwest showdown might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet in west London following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his skills against Wolves before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before lofting a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the pace with which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine scored for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column attention due to a reported £65m buyout clause for his possible January departure, the media preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three assists who is delightful to watch. However, his team are in an tricky position, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate in their past two matches after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field option for the national team
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I know what he could provide,” stated the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional striker position.” Having won the last of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup if he can maintain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals over every other English player in the top flight this campaign on six and remains anxious to boost that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back required as creator and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club last year following five difficult years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, operating on the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches take in three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine scores in the league so far. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for The striker to produce for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's squad must have a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from here, as well as a major upturn in results, and the possibility emerges with seven from their following ten league games facing teams at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus long balls and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played at club level for a month after picking up a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League victory abroad. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
