English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new encounter
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet in west London after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his talents against Wolves before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column attention amid a reported £65m release clause for a potential mid-season move, the tabloids setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes and three setups and is joyous to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an tricky situation, experiencing a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one combined over their previous two games after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit lacking a goalless game for months could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field option for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I understand what he is able to give me,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Earning the final 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he can continue his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally over every other English footballer in the top flight this season having six and remains eager to increase that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided some comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team last year after five challenging years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. Fulham's following four fixtures feature three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine scores this season to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's squad require a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from here, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance arises with seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures facing sides presently in the lower half in the league. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus direct play and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League win abroad. He reappeared as a substitute during Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
