English top flight: ten key points to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another encounter
Another northwest showdown may be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well in west London following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration and a perfect low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before lofting a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill attention amid a reported £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected for a winger with six goals and three assists and remains joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an difficult situation, experiencing a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games over their last two matches following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet confronting a backline lacking a goalless game for months might be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field option for England
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he could provide,” said the England boss. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes than any other English player in the Premier League this season on six and will be eager to add to that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club last year after five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four games take in three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes this season so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's squad need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from here, as well as a significant improvement in form, and opportunity arises as seven from their next 10 league games facing sides at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against long balls and quick transitions that will be in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent for his club over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue during his second start in four days in the Champions League triumph in Germany. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
