English top flight: 10 things to watch for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker set for a new encounter
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well in west London after his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to dinking a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation treatment due to a reported £65m escape clause for his possible January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable for a attacker with six goals plus three helpers and remains joyous to watch. However, his side find themselves in an difficult position, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate over their last two fixtures following an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but taking on a backline without a goalless game for months might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he can offer me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox striker role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally over every other English footballer in England's top division this campaign on six and will be eager to add to that tally as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side recently following five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' following four fixtures take in three among the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for the club that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's squad require a consistent improvement to enter the championship chase from this position, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself as seven out of their upcoming ten league games against sides presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand 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 quick transitions that will be in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played at club level for a month after picking up a groin problem when making his second start in four days in the Champions League triumph in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
