Premier League: 10 things to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion may be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his skills against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before lofting a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column focus following a claimed £65m release clause for a potential January departure, the tabloids preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists and is delightful to watch. Still, his team occupy an difficult situation, experiencing a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games in their last two matches following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet confronting a defence lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside option for England
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he is able to give me,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox striker position.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally compared to any English player in the top flight this term with six and is eager to increase that count as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team last year following five tough years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four games feature three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes in the league to date. Danger looms for the club that have built a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's side require a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from here, along with a significant boost in performance, and the possibility emerges as seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches against clubs currently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance versus direct play and quick transitions that remains under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not featured in domestic action in a month following a groin injury during his second start in quick succession in Europe win abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
