English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for another battle
A Manchester reunion might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle in west London after his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster netted for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column treatment following a reported £65m escape clause for his prospective mid-season move, the media setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable for a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three assists and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an awkward situation, experiencing a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate over their past two fixtures following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defence without a goalless game since August may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I know what he could give me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup provided he is able to continue his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally compared to any English footballer in the top flight this term on six and is keen to increase that count as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side recently after five tough years in north London, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. Fulham's upcoming four matches feature three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine strikes this season to date. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's side need a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a significant upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself with seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing teams presently in the bottom half of the table. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against direct play and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin problem when making his second start in four days in the Champions League triumph in Germany. Isak returned off the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
