Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another encounter
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is adapting well with Chelsea after his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before lofting a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill treatment following a alleged £65m escape clause for his potential mid-season move, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable for a attacker with six finishes and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an tricky situation, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven to one over two games over their last two matches after an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but confronting a backline lacking a goalless game since August might be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for the national team
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break although the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he can give me,” said the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox No 9 role.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup if he is able to maintain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally over every other English footballer in England's top division this term having six and remains anxious to increase that total when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has brought some comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side recently after five difficult years in north London, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's following four fixtures take in three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores in the league to date. Danger looms for a side that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's team must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from this position, as well as a major improvement in form, and the possibility emerges with seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing sides at the moment in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action for a month having sustained a muscle issue when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition triumph abroad. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
