Premier division: 10 things to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another clash
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea after his summer move from the Red Devils and showcased his talents against Wolves before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column attention due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for a prospective January departure, the media setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an tricky spot, having undergone a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate in their past two matches following an strong start to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however taking on a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game for months may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a left-field option for the national team
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he can offer me,” commented the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional centre-forward role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup provided he manages to continue his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals over every other English player in the top flight this term with six and remains anxious to add to that count when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team last year after five challenging years in north London, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. Fulham's next four games feature three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores in the league this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's team must have a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from their current spot, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and opportunity arises with seven of their next 10 league games facing sides currently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played for his club in a month having sustained a groin injury during his second start in four days in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
