English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new clash
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a ideal grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to dinking a cross toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill attention due to a claimed £65m release clause for a possible January departure, the media positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable from a wide player who has six finishes plus three setups who is delightful to watch. However, his team find themselves in an tricky situation, experiencing a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate over their last two matches following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for England
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I understand what he could offer me,” commented the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional centre-forward role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup provided he can sustain his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes than any other English player in the top flight this season on six and will be keen to add to that count as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five tough years in north London, is now a consistent pick, driving down the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' next four fixtures take in three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's team must have a consistent improvement to enter the championship chase from this position, as well as a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself with seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures versus teams presently in the bottom half of the table. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing long balls and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action in a month after picking up a groin problem when making his second consecutive start in four days in continental competition victory abroad. He reappeared off the bench in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient