Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker set for another clash
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before lofting a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine scored for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill treatment following a reported £65m release clause for a possible mid-season move, the media positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable for a attacker who has six goals and three helpers and remains delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an awkward position, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined in their last two fixtures after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet facing a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window although the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he could offer me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox centre-forward position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup provided he manages to continue his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally than any other English footballer in the top flight this term on six and remains eager to increase that count as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back needed as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club last year after five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' next four games include three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for The striker to perform for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's team must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from their current spot, along with a significant boost in performance, and a chance emerges as seven from their upcoming ten league games against clubs at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League win abroad. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
