Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another clash
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his skills against Wolves before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before chipping a ball toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill focus due to a claimed £65m escape clause for his prospective winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three setups who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an tricky position, having undergone a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined over their previous two fixtures after an strong start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet facing a defence without a clean sheet since August could be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for England
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he is able to give me,” said the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox No 9 role.” Earning the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally over every other English footballer in England's top division this campaign having six and is eager to add to that total when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back required as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side last year after five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. Fulham's next four games feature three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine scores in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's team require a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from this position, as well as a significant upturn in results, and opportunity emerges as seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing sides at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured at club level in a month following a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking in that match would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
