Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for another battle
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well in west London after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the former found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation attention following a alleged £65m escape clause for his prospective mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable from a winger with six goals and three assists who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an difficult situation, having undergone a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined over their last two fixtures after an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a backline lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for the national team
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he is able to provide,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional centre-forward position.” Gaining the final 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup assuming he can sustain his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals over every other English performer in England's top division this season with six and remains keen to boost that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team last year following five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. Fulham's next four matches feature three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the league to date. Danger looms for the club that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
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 succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The manager's team require a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from here, along with a significant improvement in form, and the possibility arises with seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing clubs currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against direct play and fast breaks that will be in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action in a month following a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition win in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
