Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another clash
Another northwest showdown might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to dinking a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger key to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill treatment following a alleged £65m escape clause for his possible winter exit, the gossip columns preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable from a wide player with six finishes plus three setups and is joyous to watch. Still, his side are in an tricky spot, having undergone a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games over their past two games following an strong opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defence lacking a shutout for months may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a surprise option for England
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I know what he is able to offer me,” said the England coach. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional striker role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes compared to any English player in England's top division this campaign with six and remains eager to increase that total as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back crucial as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club last year following five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches feature three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores this season this season. Danger looms for a team that have developed a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's side require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from this position, along with a significant improvement in form, and a chance arises with seven out of their upcoming ten league games against teams presently in the lower half in the league. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against direct play and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent at club level in a month after picking up a groin injury when making his second start over a short period in continental competition victory abroad. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
