English top flight: 10 things to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new clash
A Manchester reunion might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle in west London after his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before chipping a ball toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former netted for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire transfer speculation focus amid a claimed £65m release clause for his possible January departure, the tabloids positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. That is predictable for a winger with six finishes and three setups and is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an awkward spot, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined in their previous two matches following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but taking on a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Despite not knowing him, I know what he is able to offer me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup if he can maintain his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally over every other English player in England's top division this campaign having six and remains keen to boost that count as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side recently after five tough years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver in a creative role instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' next four games include three among the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine scores in the league this season. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's team need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from here, along with a major improvement in form, and the possibility emerges as seven out of their upcoming ten league games against clubs at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool 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 for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action in a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League win abroad. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
