Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new battle
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill focus due to a reported £65m release clause for his prospective January departure, the tabloids preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is delightful to watch. Still, his team occupy an difficult spot, experiencing a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one over two games over their past two games after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defence lacking a shutout for months could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a surprise option for England
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window although the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he can offer me,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox centre-forward position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup if he can continue his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes than any other English player in England's top division this campaign with six and remains keen to add to that total when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back crucial as creator and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team last year after five tough years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. Fulham's next four fixtures include three among the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's team must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from this position, along with a significant upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself with seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing teams currently in the bottom half in the league. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus aerial passes and counterattacks that will be in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played for his club in a month following a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League win in Germany. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
