English top flight: ten key points to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle in west London after his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before chipping a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? When the Argentine scored for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation focus following a reported £65m release clause for a possible winter exit, the media setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable from a winger with six goals and three setups who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an tricky position, having undergone a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined in their last two fixtures after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa yet facing a backline lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I know what he can provide,” commented the England coach. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional centre-forward role.” Gaining the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup assuming he can sustain his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally than any other English performer in the top flight this term having six and is anxious to add to that total when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back needed as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker last season, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's upcoming four games include three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores this season to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's squad need a consistent improvement to enter the title race from this position, along with a major upturn in results, and a chance arises with seven from their next 10 league games against clubs presently in the bottom half in the league. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus direct play and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played for his club in a month following a groin injury during his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League victory in Germany. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
