Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new battle
Another northwest showdown may be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration and a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to lofting a cross toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the former netted for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column attention following a claimed £65m escape clause for a possible January departure, the tabloids preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected for a winger with a half-dozen strikes plus three assists who is joyous to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky spot, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate in their last two fixtures following an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for the Three Lions
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I know what he can give me,” said the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional striker position.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he can continue his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals over every other English footballer in England's top division this term with six and is eager to boost that count as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back needed as creator and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side recently following five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' following four matches include three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side must have a sustained recovery to enter the title race from their current spot, as well as a dramatic upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself as seven out of their following ten league games facing clubs at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus direct play and quick transitions that will be under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action for a month following a muscle issue when making his second start in four days in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
