Premier division: 10 things to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another battle
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to lofting a cross toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column treatment following a alleged £65m escape clause for a possible winter exit, the media setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team find themselves in an tricky position, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one over two games in their previous two fixtures following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a backline without a goalless game for months could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for the national team
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he can provide,” said the England boss. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox striker position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup if he can maintain his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes than any other English performer in the Premier League this season with six and will be keen to boost that tally when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back required as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five difficult years with Spurs, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. Fulham's upcoming four games take in three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for the club that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's squad require a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from their current spot, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity arises with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus sides presently in the bottom half in the league. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus long balls and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition win abroad. Isak returned as a substitute in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game could have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
