Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another clash
Another northwest showdown could be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents against Wolves before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before dinking a cross toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column treatment following a reported £65m release clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected for a attacker who has six finishes plus three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an tricky position, experiencing a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one combined in their past two matches after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet facing a backline that hasn't kept a shutout for months may prove the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he can give me,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional striker role.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes compared to any English performer in the top flight this term having six and will be eager to add to that total when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back crucial as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side last year after five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four fixtures take in three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the league to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's team need a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from here, along with a major upturn in results, and a chance emerges as seven of their following ten Premier League matches against sides currently in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The expensive signing has been absent for his club in a month after picking up a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League victory in Germany. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
