Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown might be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and showcased his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a perfect low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a delivery toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
The winger key to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill focus following a claimed £65m release clause for a potential January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. This is predictable for a attacker with six finishes plus three helpers and is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an awkward situation, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate in their previous two matches following an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the Three Lions
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he could offer me,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional No 9 position.” Having won the last of his 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can maintain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes than any other English performer in England's top division this season on six and will be keen to increase that count when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his former side last year following five tough years at Tottenham, is now a first-team fixture, operating on the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. Fulham's upcoming four matches take in three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores in the league this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's squad must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from this position, plus a major boost in performance, and a chance arises with seven from their next 10 Premier League matches facing teams at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus direct play and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured for his club for a month after picking up a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
