Premier division: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet in west London following his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his skills against Wolves before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the former scored for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column attention due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for his possible winter exit, the media setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected from a wide player with six goals plus three assists who is delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth find themselves in an awkward spot, experiencing a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive on successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate over their last two matches after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet since August may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker an outside option for the national team
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break although the Brighton striker reaches 35 soon. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he is able to provide,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional No 9 role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals compared to any English footballer in England's top division this term on six and is keen to increase that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back required as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, operating on the left in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' next four fixtures take in three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for The striker to perform for the Reds
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's side need a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from this position, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility emerges as seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus sides at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing direct play and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has not played for his club in a month after picking up a muscle issue while his second start over a short period in Europe victory abroad. He reappeared off the bench in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday would have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
