Premier division: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker set for another encounter
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet in west London after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill treatment due to a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable for a attacker with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is joyous to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an tricky position, having engaged in a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate in their past two games following an strong start to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but confronting a backline that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a left-field option for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I know what he is able to provide,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional striker position.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes than any other English footballer in the Premier League this campaign having six and will be keen to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back needed as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his former side recently following five challenging years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker last season, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' next four matches feature three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a side that have earned a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's side require a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from here, plus a significant upturn in results, and a chance emerges as seven out of their following ten league games versus sides currently in the bottom half of the table. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against long balls and fast breaks that will be in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not featured at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin injury when making his second start over a short period in Europe win abroad. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
