Premier League: 10 things to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet in west London following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation treatment amid a claimed £65m buyout clause for his potential January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable for a winger with six goals plus three setups and is joyous to watch. However, his team are in an tricky position, having engaged in a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one combined in their previous two matches after an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet confronting a backline without a goalless game since August might be the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field choice for the national team
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window even though the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he could offer me,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional No 9 position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he can continue his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals compared to any English player in England's top division this campaign on six and will be eager to add to that total when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side last year following five tough years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four games feature three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals this season this season. Danger looms for a side that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to perform for the Reds
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's side require a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from here, along with a significant improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself with seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures against teams at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent for his club in a month having sustained a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
