Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a new clash
A Manchester reunion may be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well in west London after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to chipping a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill attention following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a prospective January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is understandable from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and remains delightful to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an awkward situation, 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-one on aggregate in their last two matches after an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa but taking on a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside choice for England
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I am aware what he can offer me,” commented the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional centre-forward position.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes over every other English performer in the top flight this campaign having six and is eager to boost that tally as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his former side recently after five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine scores in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for a side that have built a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for The striker to perform for the Reds
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's squad need a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from their current spot, plus a major improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself as seven out of their following ten Premier League matches versus sides at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing against direct play and quick transitions that will be in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not featured at club level in a month following a groin problem during his second start over a short period in the Champions League win in Germany. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
