English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new battle
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine netted for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete transfer speculation attention following a claimed £65m escape clause for his potential winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable for a attacker who has six goals plus three helpers and is delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth are in an difficult position, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate in their past two fixtures after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a backline lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for England
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he can offer me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional No 9 position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals over every other English player in England's top division this campaign on six and remains keen to increase that tally when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back crucial as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team recently following five challenging years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. Fulham's next four fixtures include three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for a side that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's squad need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from here, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance arises as seven from their next 10 league games versus sides presently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing direct play and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has been absent for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game might have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
