Premier division: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another battle
A Manchester reunion might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is adapting well in west London following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his talents versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to dinking a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the former scored for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill treatment due to a alleged ÂŁ65m release clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable from a wide player with six goals plus three setups and remains joyous to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an difficult position, having undergone a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate in their last two matches after an strong start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi MartĂnez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa but taking on a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside shout for the national team
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I understand what he can give me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional centre-forward role.” Earning the final 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup if he is able to sustain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally over every other English player in the top flight this term with six and is anxious to increase that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has brought some comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team last year following five challenging years in north London, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures take in three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine scores in the league so far. Danger looms for a team that have developed a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for The striker to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad must have a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from their current spot, plus a major improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself with seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus sides presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus long balls and quick transitions that is in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The ÂŁ125m striker has not played in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
