Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new battle
Another northwest showdown could be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to lofting a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the former found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation focus due to a claimed £65m escape clause for a possible winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected for a attacker with a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an awkward situation, experiencing a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate over their past two games after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defence lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a surprise shout for England
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he can offer me,” said the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional centre-forward position.” Gaining the final 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally than any other English footballer in the top flight this campaign on six and is anxious to add to that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club recently after five difficult years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four games take in three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes in the league this season. Danger looms for the club that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for The striker to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's side need a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from here, plus a significant boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself as seven from their following ten Premier League matches against sides at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action in a month following a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League win abroad. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
