English top flight: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus HĆøjlund, was a testament of the pace with which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column treatment due to a alleged Ā£65m release clause for his potential mid-season move, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected for a wide player who has six goals and three assists and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his side occupy an difficult spot, having undergone a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined over their past two games after an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi MartĆnez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa however taking on a backline lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. āEven without being familiar with him, I understand what he could provide,ā commented the England coach. āHe can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox striker position.ā Having won the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally than any other English player in England's top division this campaign having six and is eager to add to that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back required as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side last year after five tough years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he's also their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' following four matches include three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for the club that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's side need a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from here, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and opportunity emerges as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures versus sides presently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against direct play and counterattacks that is in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The Ā£125m striker has not featured for his club for a month after picking up a muscle issue during his second start over a short period in the Champions League win in Germany. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
