Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new encounter
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his talents in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column focus due to a alleged £65m escape clause for his potential winter exit, the media positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected from a wide player who has six finishes plus three assists and is delightful to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an tricky position, having engaged in a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one combined in their past two games after an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa however taking on a backline lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside shout for England
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I understand what he is able to provide,” stated the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional No 9 position.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup if he can continue his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals over every other English performer in the top flight this season having six and is anxious to boost that total when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side last year after five challenging years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches take in three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the Premier League so far. A threat emerges for the club that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad need a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, as well as a significant upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself with seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus clubs currently in the lower half of the table. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus long balls and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not featured at club level for a month after picking up a groin injury during his second start in four days in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
