Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new encounter
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before dinking a cross toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster scored for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill treatment amid a claimed £65m release clause for his prospective mid-season move, the media preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected from a wide player with six goals and three setups and remains delightful to watch. Still, his side occupy an awkward spot, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games over their last two fixtures following an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside shout for the national team
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he can offer me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional centre-forward role.” Having won the final 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his scoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals compared to any English performer in the top flight this term having six and will be anxious to boost that total as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club last year following five tough years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, operating on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures take in three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals this season this season. A threat emerges for a team that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's squad must have a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from their current spot, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility emerges with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing sides currently in the lower half of the table. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not featured in domestic action for a month after picking up a groin problem when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe victory in Germany. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
