English top flight: ten key points to watch for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new battle
Another northwest showdown might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and displayed his skills against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to lofting a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster netted for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation attention following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a potential winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists and is pleasurable to watch. Still, his team are in an tricky position, having undergone a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined over their previous two matches after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa however confronting a defence without a shutout since August may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck a left-field choice for the Three Lions
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break although the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I know what he could provide,” commented the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Gaining the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally over every other English performer in the Premier League this campaign having six and is anxious to boost that count when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club recently after five difficult years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man last season, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver in a creative role instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. Fulham's upcoming four games include three among the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals this season to date. A threat emerges for a side that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's team require a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from here, as well as a significant boost in performance, and the possibility arises with seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures against sides presently in the lower half in the standings. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not featured at club level over four weeks following a groin injury when making his second start over a short period in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
