Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another clash
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his talents in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a perfect grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation focus due to a claimed £65m escape clause for his possible January departure, the tabloids setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable from a wide player who has six goals and three setups who is pleasurable to watch. However, his side are in an awkward spot, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate over their last two matches after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he can give me,” stated the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional centre-forward position.” Earning the last of his 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup provided he can sustain his scoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally than any other English player in the top flight this season with six and will be keen to increase that total as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side recently after five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. Fulham's upcoming four matches include three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes this season to date. Danger looms for a side that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for The striker to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's team require a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from their current spot, as well as a significant upturn in results, and opportunity emerges with seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against clubs presently in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing direct play and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent for his club over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League victory in Germany. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
