English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh clash
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea after his summer move from the Red Devils and showcased his abilities against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a flawless grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to chipping a delivery to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the former found the net for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill focus due to a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the media preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an awkward spot, having engaged in a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games in their past two fixtures following an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a defence without a shutout for months might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker an outside option for England
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break although the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he can give me,” said the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox striker position.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes than any other English performer in the Premier League this term on six and will be keen to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club recently after five challenging years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver in a creative role in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures feature three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for a team that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for The striker to deliver for the Reds
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's team need a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from this position, plus a major improvement in form, and a chance presents itself with seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus sides presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus long balls and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent for his club in a month after picking up a groin problem when making his second start over a short period in continental competition win abroad. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
