Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to dinking a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column treatment amid a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a attacker who has six goals plus three assists who is pleasurable to watch. However, his team are in an tricky situation, having undergone a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate over their last two fixtures following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa however facing a defence lacking a clean sheet since August could be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he can provide,” said the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox striker role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup provided he can continue his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals than any other English footballer in England's top division this season having six and will be keen to increase that total as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back needed as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered some comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team last year following five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. Fulham's following four games feature three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals in the league this season. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's team require a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from this position, plus a significant boost in performance, and a chance arises as seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against teams at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus long balls and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not played at club level over four weeks after picking up a groin injury while his second start in four days in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
