Premier division: 10 things to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh clash
A Mancunian rematch may be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former netted for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation focus due to a alleged £65m release clause for his potential winter exit, the media setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable for a wide player with six goals and three helpers who is joyous to watch. However, his team are in an difficult spot, experiencing a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games in their last two fixtures after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit without a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break although the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I am aware what he could give me,” said the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional striker position.” Gaining the final 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup if he can continue his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has additional strikes compared to any English performer in the top flight this term having six and is anxious to add to that tally as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side last year after five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, operating on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. Fulham's next four fixtures include three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals this season so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The manager's team need a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from this position, as well as a major upturn in results, and a chance emerges with seven from their upcoming ten league games against teams presently in the bottom half in the league. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has been absent at club level over four weeks after picking up a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in Europe win in Germany. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match against Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient