English top flight: ten key points to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new battle
A Manchester reunion may be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle in west London following his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the former scored for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column attention following a claimed £65m escape clause for his possible mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a winger who has six goals plus three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an tricky position, having engaged in a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games in their previous two matches after an strong start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit lacking a shutout since August might be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a left-field option for the national team
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break even though the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he could give me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional striker role.” Earning the final 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his scoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes than any other English performer in the top flight this season on six and will be keen to add to that total as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club recently after five tough years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four games feature three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes this season so far. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's side require a consistent improvement to enter the title race from here, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance arises with seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus teams currently in the lower half of the table. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played for his club over four weeks after picking up a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph abroad. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
