English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well in west London following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration and a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before chipping a ball toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the former scored for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire gossip column attention due to a alleged £65m release clause for his possible winter exit, the media setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and remains joyous to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an awkward spot, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven-one combined in their previous two matches after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet facing a backline without a clean sheet since August could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for the national team
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he could offer me,” commented the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 role.” Having won the last of his 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup provided he can sustain his scoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this campaign on six and is eager to boost that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back required as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five difficult years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four matches take in three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores this season to date. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's squad must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from here, along with a significant boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself with seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against teams currently in the lower half of the table. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus direct play and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action for a month having sustained a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League victory abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking in that match would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
