English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another encounter
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and showcased his abilities against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to dinking a cross toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? During the former scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation treatment due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for his prospective January departure, the tabloids preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected for a wide player with six goals plus three assists and is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an tricky situation, experiencing a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate in their last two games after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however facing a backline that hasn't kept a shutout since August may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I am aware what he is able to offer me,” stated the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional striker role.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup provided he can sustain his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally than any other English player in England's top division this season with six and will be anxious to boost that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon required as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club recently after five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' following four games feature three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes this season this season. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad must have a sustained recovery to enter the championship chase from this position, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity arises as seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches versus clubs presently in the lower half in the league. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and quick transitions that remains under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent at club level in a month after picking up a muscle issue when making his second start in four days in Europe win in Germany. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
