English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another battle
Another northwest showdown could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to chipping a delivery to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill focus amid a reported £65m release clause for his prospective winter exit, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable from a attacker with six finishes and three setups and remains delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an difficult spot, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one over two games in their previous two games after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa however confronting a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game since August could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for England
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker reaches 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I am aware what he can give me,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox striker role.” Earning the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally over every other English footballer in the top flight this term on six and will be anxious to boost that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side last year after five tough years in north London, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' next four fixtures feature three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores in the league so far. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from here, along with a major improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself with seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs currently in the lower half of the table. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against aerial passes and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has not played for his club over four weeks following a groin injury while his second start in four days in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to ensure his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
