Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another clash
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to dinking a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation focus following a alleged ÂŁ65m release clause for his prospective January departure, the media preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected from a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his team are in an tricky spot, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games over their past two games following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi MartĂnez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker an outside option for the national team
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I know what he could provide,” said the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional centre-forward role.” Having won the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his goal-getting performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals than any other English player in the Premier League this term having six and will be eager to add to that tally as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back crucial as assist provider and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his former side last year after five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' next four games feature three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side require a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from here, plus a major boost in performance, and opportunity arises with seven out of their next 10 league games facing sides at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that is in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin problem when making his second start in four days in the Champions League win abroad. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
