Premier division: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker set for a new clash
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a perfect grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to dinking a ball toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete transfer speculation treatment amid a claimed £65m buyout clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an tricky position, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined over their past two games after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defence lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field option for the national team
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he can give me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional No 9 role.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his goal-getting exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes than any other English footballer in the top flight this campaign with six and will be anxious to add to that count when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his former side last year following five difficult years with Spurs, is now a regular starter, driving down the left in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man in the last term, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's upcoming four matches include three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores this season so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for The striker to produce for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's squad need a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from this position, plus a major improvement in form, and a chance presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus sides presently in the bottom half of the table. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus long balls and quick transitions that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action over four weeks following a muscle issue during his second consecutive start in four days in continental competition triumph abroad. Isak returned as a substitute in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
