Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another battle
A Mancunian rematch may be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his talents against Wolves before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to dinking a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
The winger key to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation attention due to a reported £65m buyout clause for his possible mid-season move, the media setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable for a winger who has six finishes plus three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. However, his side occupy an tricky situation, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one combined in their previous two fixtures following an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet facing a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for the national team
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break although the Brighton striker reaches 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he could provide,” stated the England boss. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional striker position.” Earning the final 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his scoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes than any other English player in the top flight this campaign on six and is keen to boost that total as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side recently after five challenging years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, operating on the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he is their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. The Cottagers' next four fixtures include three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the league so far. Trouble awaits for the club that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's squad must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from here, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity emerges with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing clubs currently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus long balls and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action in a month following a groin problem while his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe triumph in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
