Premier division: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle in west London following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to lofting a delivery to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the former found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column focus due to a claimed £65m release clause for a possible winter exit, the media positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable from a winger who has six goals plus three assists and remains delightful to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an difficult spot, having engaged in a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined over their past two games after an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defence without a goalless game for months might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a surprise shout for the national team
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he can give me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional striker position.” Having won the last of his 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup provided he can sustain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals over every other English player in England's top division this season with six and is eager to add to that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided some positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five challenging years in north London, is now a consistent pick, operating on the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four games take in three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for a side that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's squad must have a sustained recovery to enter the title race from their current spot, plus a significant upturn in results, and a chance presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing sides presently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing direct play and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue while his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday would have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient