English top flight: 10 things to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former scored for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation treatment due to a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable from a attacker who has six finishes plus three assists and is joyous to watch. However, his team occupy an difficult spot, experiencing a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven-one combined in their last two matches following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa but facing a defence without a clean sheet since August may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break although the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he is able to offer me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his goal-getting performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals than any other English player in the top flight this season with six and will be eager to increase that count when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club last year after five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's next four matches take in three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores in the league so far. Danger looms for a side that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's team require a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from their current spot, as well as a major boost in performance, and opportunity arises with seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus teams at the moment in the lower half of the table. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus long balls and quick transitions that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured in domestic action over four weeks following a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition win abroad. Isak returned off the bench during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
