Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker set for another battle
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet in west London following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and displayed his skills in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before lofting a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine netted for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation treatment amid a alleged £65m release clause for his prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable for a wide player with six goals plus three assists who is pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky spot, having undergone a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games in their past two matches after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit without a goalless game since August could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field option for England
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he can give me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional centre-forward role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he can sustain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally than any other English footballer in the Premier League this term on six and is keen to boost that total as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back required as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered some comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team recently following five difficult years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left side with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's following four matches feature three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores this season to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Isak to perform for the Reds
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad must have a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from their current spot, plus a major boost in performance, and opportunity arises as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures against clubs presently in the bottom half of the table. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action in a month having sustained a muscle issue while his second start over a short period in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
