Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire transfer speculation attention following a claimed £65m buyout clause for his possible mid-season move, the media preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected from a attacker with six finishes plus three setups and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an awkward position, having undergone a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate in their previous two fixtures after an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa but facing a defence that hasn't kept a shutout for months could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he is able to give me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional No 9 position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup provided he can sustain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals over every other English footballer in the top flight this campaign having six and is keen to add to that tally as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back crucial as creator and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team recently after five difficult years in north London, has become a regular starter, operating on the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last time round. Fulham's following four games take in three among the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine strikes this season so far. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's team need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from this position, as well as a significant upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself with seven of their following ten league games facing sides currently in the bottom half of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus long balls and counterattacks that will be in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured for his club for a month after picking up a muscle issue while his second start in four days in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but was rested the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
