Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet in west London after his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration and a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine found the net for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation attention following a reported £65m release clause for a potential January departure, the tabloids preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable from a attacker with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is joyous to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an tricky position, having engaged in a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined over their previous two fixtures following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however facing a defence without a goalless game for months could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker an outside shout for the national team
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker reaches 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup provided he manages to continue his scoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes compared to any English footballer in the top flight this campaign on six and will be anxious to boost that tally when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back required as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five tough years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man last season, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures include three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for The striker to perform for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's squad need a sustained recovery to enter the championship chase from here, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against direct play and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action for a month following a groin injury while his second start over a short period in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
