English top flight: ten key points to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh clash
Another northwest showdown may be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a perfect low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to lofting a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine scored for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column focus amid a claimed £65m buyout clause for his potential January departure, the tabloids positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable for a winger who has six goals and three assists and remains joyous to watch. However, his side occupy an difficult position, experiencing a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games over their previous two games following an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he could provide,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional No 9 position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes over every other English player in England's top division this season on six and remains anxious to boost that count when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his former side last year after five challenging years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer last season, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. The Cottagers' following four games include three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for The striker to produce for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's squad require a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a major improvement in form, and a chance emerges with seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches versus sides at the moment in the lower half of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display against long balls and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent at club level over four weeks following a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe win abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking on Tuesday might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
