Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another clash
A Manchester reunion might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea after his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his skills in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine netted for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
The winger key to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation attention following a alleged £65m escape clause for his possible January departure, the media positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is predictable for a attacker with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and remains delightful to watch. However, his team occupy an difficult situation, experiencing a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven to one combined over their past two games following an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa but facing a defence lacking a goalless game since August may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for the Three Lions
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I know what he could offer me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox striker role.” Earning the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally over every other English player in the top flight this season having six and will be anxious to boost that count when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team recently after five challenging years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's next four games take in three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores in the Premier League so far. A threat emerges for the club that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's team require a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from this position, plus a significant boost in performance, and opportunity arises with seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures versus teams at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent at club level for a month after picking up a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
