Premier division: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster scored for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete transfer speculation attention due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for his prospective mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable from a attacker who has six finishes plus three assists and remains delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an difficult situation, experiencing a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined over their previous two fixtures after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a backline that hasn't kept a shutout since August could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he can provide,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox No 9 role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals than any other English performer in the top flight this campaign on six and will be anxious to increase that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his former side last year after five tough years in north London, is now a consistent pick, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man last season, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver in a creative role instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches feature three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals in the league to date. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The manager's team must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from their current spot, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility emerges as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures against sides presently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus direct play and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition triumph in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient