English top flight: ten key points to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another encounter
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column focus due to a reported £65m release clause for a possible January departure, the media positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable from a wide player who has six goals and three setups who is joyous to watch. Still, his side are in an awkward situation, having undergone a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games over their past two games following an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet since August could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a left-field choice for England
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he is able to offer me,” commented the England boss. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional No 9 role.” Having won the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup provided he can maintain his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally over every other English performer in England's top division this term with six and is anxious to boost that count when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club last year following five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. Fulham's upcoming four matches include three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine scores in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's team must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from here, plus a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself with seven out of their following ten Premier League matches versus teams at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display against direct play and counterattacks that remains in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has not played for his club over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue during his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient