Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new battle
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker has started to settle in west London following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before dinking a cross toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former found the net for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column focus due to a reported £65m buyout clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable for a winger with six finishes and three helpers who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side are in an tricky situation, having undergone a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate over their past two games after an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for the national team
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup provided he can sustain his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals over every other English player in England's top division this season on six and will be keen to add to that total as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back needed as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team last year after five difficult years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' following four matches feature three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores in the Premier League so far. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's side need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from their current spot, as well as a significant boost in performance, and a chance arises with seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing teams at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus direct play and counterattacks that is in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not featured for his club for a month following a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe victory abroad. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
