Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another clash
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to lofting a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation attention amid a reported £65m release clause for his prospective January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an awkward spot, experiencing a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined in their past two matches after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit without a goalless game since August may prove the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I understand what he can provide,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional No 9 position.” Having won the final 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goal-getting performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes over every other English player in England's top division this season having six and is anxious to increase that total as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided some positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side recently following five challenging years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, operating on the left in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker last season, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver in a creative role instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' next four games take in three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine scores in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for a side that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to perform for the Reds
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's team need a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility emerges with seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing sides presently in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing against aerial passes and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured at club level over four weeks following a groin injury while his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
