English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another encounter
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the former scored for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column treatment amid a reported £65m buyout clause for a potential January departure, the media positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable from a attacker with a half-dozen strikes and three setups and is delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an tricky spot, having undergone a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven to one combined over their last two games after an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but taking on a backline without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he could provide,” stated the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox centre-forward position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup provided he can continue his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally than any other English player in the Premier League this season having six and will be eager to increase that count when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his former side last year following five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. Fulham's following four games take in three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Isak to produce for the Reds
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's squad need a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from here, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself with seven from their next 10 league games against sides at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing long balls and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not featured for his club for a month following a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League win abroad. He reappeared as a substitute during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
