Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new clash
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well in west London following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and displayed his skills in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation focus following a reported £65m escape clause for his potential mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. This is predictable for a attacker with six goals and three assists who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an awkward position, having undergone a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games over their last two games after an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I understand what he can provide,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox striker role.” Earning the final 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup provided he is able to continue his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has additional strikes compared to any English player in England's top division this campaign with six and is anxious to add to that total as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back crucial as creator and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team last year following five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. Fulham's next four fixtures include three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the Premier League so far. 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 moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they fell to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's side must have a consistent improvement to enter the title race from their current spot, as well as a major upturn in results, and a chance emerges as seven of their following ten Premier League matches facing clubs presently in the bottom ten in the league. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against direct play and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin problem when making his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition win in Germany. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
