Premier division: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new clash
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well in west London after his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his skills in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration and a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before lofting a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill treatment amid a alleged £65m release clause for his possible mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three assists who is delightful to watch. However, his side are in an difficult situation, experiencing a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games over their previous two games after an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game for months could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a surprise choice for the Three Lions
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I know what he is able to offer me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox centre-forward role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup if he can maintain his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally than any other English footballer in the Premier League this campaign on six and will be eager to boost that total when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team last year following five challenging years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, operating on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. The Cottagers' following four fixtures feature three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals in the league this season. A threat emerges for the club that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's team need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from here, as well as a major upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures versus teams at the moment in the lower half of the table. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus long balls and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured for his club in a month after picking up a groin problem during his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
