Premier division: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet in west London following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to dinking a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster netted for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation treatment due to a alleged £65m release clause for his potential mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected from a wide player who has six finishes plus three setups and remains joyous to watch. However, his side find themselves in an tricky position, having engaged in a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate over their previous two fixtures following an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet facing a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a surprise shout for England
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I know what he is able to give me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup if he can continue his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally than any other English footballer in the Premier League this term having six and is eager to increase that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team last year following five challenging years in north London, is now a regular starter, operating on the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's team require a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from here, plus a major boost in performance, and opportunity arises as seven of their following ten league games facing clubs at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus direct play and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has not played for his club for a month after picking up a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe win abroad. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match would have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
