Premier division: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another encounter
A Mancunian rematch could be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a ideal 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 earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the former found the net for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill treatment following a claimed £65m release clause for a prospective mid-season move, the tabloids setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth find themselves in an difficult situation, having undergone a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games over their past two matches after an promising start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet confronting a defence without a clean sheet since August could be the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the national team
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he could give me,” said the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox centre-forward position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his goal-getting performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally than any other English footballer in England's top division this term with six and will be keen to boost that total as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team recently after five tough years in north London, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four matches include three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the league so far. Danger looms for a side that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's side require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, plus a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance arises as seven out of their upcoming ten league games versus teams at the moment in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured at club level in a month having sustained a groin problem during his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient