English top flight: ten key points to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is finding his feet in west London after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his talents against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to dinking a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation focus amid a alleged £65m release clause for his possible mid-season move, the media positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable from a attacker who has six finishes plus three assists and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his team are in an awkward spot, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games over their last two games after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but confronting a backline lacking a clean sheet since August could be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field choice for the Three Lions
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he could provide,” said the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox No 9 position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup assuming he can continue his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals than any other English footballer in the Premier League this campaign with six and remains anxious to add to that tally as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club recently following five tough years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four games take in three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes in the Premier League this season. Danger looms for a side that have earned a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's side require a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from their current spot, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten league games against sides presently in the lower half of the table. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action over four weeks following a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition victory in Germany. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
