Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new battle
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea after his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to chipping a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former found the net for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill treatment due to a claimed £65m release clause for his prospective mid-season move, the tabloids positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable for a winger with six finishes and three assists and is delightful to watch. Still, his team occupy an tricky spot, having undergone a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined in their last two fixtures after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a surprise choice for England
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I understand what he is able to provide,” stated the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional No 9 position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup provided he can maintain his scoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals than any other English player in the top flight this term on six and will be anxious to boost that count as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club last year after five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups last season. Fulham's upcoming four matches include three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for the club that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's team require a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from their current spot, along with a significant upturn in results, and opportunity emerges as seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus sides presently in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured for his club over four weeks following a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in Europe victory in Germany. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday would have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
