English top flight: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet in west London following his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to lofting a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former found the net for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill treatment amid a claimed £65m release clause for a possible winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected for a wide player with six goals and three assists and remains joyous to watch. However, his side occupy an tricky situation, having undergone a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games in their last two matches after an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa however taking on a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August might be the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for the national team
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break even though the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he is able to provide,” said the England boss. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox striker position.” Gaining the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup provided he can sustain his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally than any other English performer in England's top division this term on six and will be anxious to add to that count as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back required as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team last year following five difficult years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who provided ten setups last time round. Fulham's following four fixtures take in three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side need a sustained recovery to enter the championship chase from this position, along with a major upturn in results, and the possibility arises with seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches versus sides currently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display against long balls and fast breaks that is in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has been absent at club level in a month following a groin problem when making his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League victory in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
