Premier League: 10 things to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh clash
Another northwest showdown might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his talents against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the former scored for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
The winger vital to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column focus following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a possible January departure, the media preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable from a winger with a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and remains pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an difficult position, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate over their past two fixtures following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa however taking on a defence lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker a surprise choice for the Three Lions
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I know what he is able to provide,” stated the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox No 9 position.” Gaining the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup if he manages to sustain his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes compared to any English player in the top flight this season having six and is keen to boost that total when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side recently after five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures take in three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine strikes in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for a team that have built a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for The striker to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's team require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from here, along with a major boost in performance, and the possibility arises as seven out of their following ten league games facing sides currently in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's performance against long balls and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent at club level over four weeks after picking up a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League victory in Germany. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient