Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to dinking a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine netted for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill treatment following a reported £65m buyout clause for his prospective mid-season move, the media preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. This is predictable from a attacker with six finishes plus three setups and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an awkward situation, having undergone a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games in their past two matches after an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet confronting a defensive unit without a clean sheet for months might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker an outside choice for the national team
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I know what he can give me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox striker role.” Earning the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals compared to any English performer in England's top division this term on six and will be anxious to boost that count when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided some positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side recently after five difficult years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. Fulham's following four matches include three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals in the league to date. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's side need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from here, as well as a significant improvement in form, and opportunity arises as seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus clubs at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League triumph in Germany. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
