Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker set for a fresh battle
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea following his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before lofting a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete gossip column attention due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and is joyous to watch. However, his side occupy an tricky spot, experiencing a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate over their past two matches following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa however facing a backline lacking a clean sheet since August may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I know what he could give me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional centre-forward role.” Having won the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals over every other English performer in the top flight this campaign on six and is anxious to add to that count when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some warmth to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side last year after five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four matches take in three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes this season so far. A threat emerges for a team that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad must have a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from here, plus a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself as seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus direct play and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action for a month having sustained a groin injury while his second start in quick succession in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
