English top flight: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and showcased his talents against Wolves prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a ideal grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before lofting a cross toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the former found the net for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column treatment amid a claimed £65m release clause for a potential winter exit, the media setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable for a winger who has six finishes plus three setups and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an awkward position, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate in their past two fixtures following an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside option for the national team
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he is able to give me,” stated the England coach. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional striker position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally than any other English player in England's top division this term on six and remains anxious to boost that total as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five tough years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man last season, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' following four games take in three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for The striker to perform for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's team need a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from here, plus a significant boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing sides at the moment in the lower half of the table. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing long balls and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action in a month having sustained a groin problem when making his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
