English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new battle
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle in west London following his summer move from Manchester United and showcased his skills against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to chipping a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the former scored for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation treatment due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. This is predictable from a winger with six goals and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an tricky position, having undergone a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one over two games in their past two games after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he could give me,” said the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional striker position.” Having won the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup provided he can continue his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals than any other English performer in the top flight this season having six and will be eager to add to that tally when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures include three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals this season this season. A threat emerges for the club that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for The striker to perform for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's team need a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from this position, plus a major improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches against clubs currently in the lower half of the table. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display against direct play and quick transitions that will be in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action in a month following a groin injury during his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
