Premier division: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a new battle
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea following his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a flawless grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to dinking a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the Argentine netted for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete transfer speculation treatment following a alleged £65m release clause for a potential winter exit, the media preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable for a wide player with six goals plus three assists and remains joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an difficult position, having undergone a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined in their previous two games following an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa however taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game since August might be the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he could provide,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional striker position.” Earning the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup if he can sustain his goal-getting performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has additional strikes compared to any English player in the Premier League this term on six and will be eager to add to that total as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back crucial as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team last year after five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four matches include three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals this season to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's squad require a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from this position, along with a significant upturn in results, and the possibility arises with seven out of their upcoming ten league games against clubs currently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus long balls and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not featured for his club in a month following a groin problem during his second start over a short period in continental competition triumph in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game would have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
