English top flight: ten key points to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea after his summer move from the Red Devils and showcased his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before lofting a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster netted for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill treatment amid a reported £65m escape clause for a prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected from a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes and three setups and is pleasurable to watch. However, his side find themselves in an awkward spot, having undergone a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined over their past two games after an strong start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa however taking on a defence lacking a goalless game for months might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside option for England
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break although the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he can give me,” said the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup if he can continue his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals than any other English player in the top flight this term with six and will be anxious to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back crucial as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his youth team last year after five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four games feature three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals in the league this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's team must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, plus a major upturn in results, and opportunity emerges as seven from their next 10 Premier League matches facing sides currently in the lower half in the standings. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus long balls and quick transitions that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not featured for his club for a month after picking up a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League victory abroad. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking in that match might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
