Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new clash
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea following his summer move from the Red Devils and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before lofting a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine netted for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire gossip column attention due to a reported £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable for a attacker who has six goals plus three helpers and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an awkward spot, having undergone a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate over their previous two games after an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet taking on a backline lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for the national team
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I know what he can offer me,” commented the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox striker position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he is able to sustain his scoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals compared to any English footballer in England's top division this campaign having six and remains anxious to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club recently following five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups last time round. Fulham's following four games feature three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores this season this season. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's side require a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from their current spot, along with a major improvement in form, and opportunity arises with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures against sides at the moment in the lower half of the table. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus direct play and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not played at club level in a month after picking up a groin problem when making his second start in quick succession in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
