English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown may be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is adapting well in west London following his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his talents in the Wolves match before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the former netted for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger key to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill treatment following a reported £65m release clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable from a attacker with six goals plus three assists who is delightful to watch. Still, his side are in an awkward situation, experiencing a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined in their previous two fixtures following an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but facing a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months may prove the perfect solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside option for the national team
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I understand what he could offer me,” said the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup if he can continue his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally compared to any English player in the top flight this campaign with six and is eager to increase that count as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has brought some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team last year following five difficult years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's next four matches include three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine scores this season to date. A threat emerges for a side that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's side need a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from this position, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself with seven from their following ten league games against teams at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance versus long balls and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not featured for his club over four weeks following a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in Europe win abroad. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
