English top flight: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation treatment due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for his possible mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists who is delightful to watch. However, his team find themselves in an awkward position, having engaged in a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined in their past two fixtures following an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker an outside choice for the Three Lions
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I know what he can give me,” stated the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional No 9 role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup provided he can continue his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally than any other English footballer in the Premier League this term having six and is eager to increase that count as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back crucial as playmaker and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team last year following five tough years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, operating on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. Fulham's next four matches include three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes in the Premier League this season. Danger looms for a side that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to perform for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's squad must have a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from their current spot, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself as seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures versus teams presently in the bottom half in the league. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played at club level for a month having sustained a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition victory abroad. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match against Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
