English top flight: ten key points to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh clash
Another northwest showdown may be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle in west London after his summer move from Manchester United and showcased his talents in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a perfect low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation attention due to a claimed £65m escape clause for his potential January departure, the tabloids setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is joyous to watch. Still, his team are in an tricky spot, having engaged in a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven to one combined in their last two games after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defence lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker an outside option for the national team
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he can give me,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox centre-forward position.” Earning the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he can sustain his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes compared to any English player in England's top division this season on six and remains eager to add to that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side recently after five challenging years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' next four games include three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores this season to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's team must have a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from this position, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance emerges with seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus teams at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin problem when making his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe victory in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient