English top flight: ten key points to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his talents against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before chipping a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the youngster netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete gossip column treatment amid a alleged £65m release clause for a potential winter exit, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a attacker with six finishes and three setups and is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an difficult spot, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate in their previous two fixtures after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a backline without a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside option for the Three Lions
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I know what he can provide,” said the England coach. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 position.” Having won the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup provided he can continue his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes compared to any English player in the Premier League this season with six and remains keen to increase that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side recently after five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. Fulham's following four fixtures feature three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals this season this season. Danger looms for the club that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's side need a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from here, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself as seven out of their next 10 league games against teams currently in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus long balls and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured at club level for a month after picking up a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition win in Germany. He reappeared from the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking in that match might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
