Premier division: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for another clash
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to chipping a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete transfer speculation treatment following a claimed £65m release clause for his possible winter exit, the media preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable for a wide player who has six finishes and three assists who is delightful to watch. However, his side occupy an awkward position, having engaged in a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate in their last two fixtures following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet taking on a defence lacking a shutout since August may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a left-field choice for England
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I am aware what he could provide,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional centre-forward position.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally over every other English player in England's top division this term having six and remains eager to increase that count as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided some comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team last year after five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four games include three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for The striker to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's team must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from this position, as well as a major improvement in form, and a chance arises with seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures against teams at the moment in the lower half of the table. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance against direct play and counterattacks that remains in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played at club level over four weeks following a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League win in Germany. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
