Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker set for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet in west London after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill attention due to a claimed £65m release clause for a potential January departure, the tabloids setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected for a attacker with six goals plus three helpers and remains joyous to watch. Still, his side are in an awkward situation, having undergone a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate over their past two fixtures following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a backline lacking a goalless game for months could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a left-field choice for the national team
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he could give me,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox striker position.” Gaining the final 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes than any other English performer in the Premier League this season having six and remains eager to add to that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back needed as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side recently following five tough years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches feature three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's team require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from this position, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility emerges with seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs presently in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against long balls and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent at club level over four weeks following a muscle issue while his second start over a short period in continental competition triumph in Germany. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient