Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend


Garnacho versus Walker set for a fresh battle

A Manchester reunion could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to chipping a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster scored for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.

Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)


2. Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slide

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation attention following a alleged £65m escape clause for his prospective winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a wide player with six goals plus three assists who is pleasurable to watch. However, his team occupy an awkward situation, experiencing a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games in their last two fixtures after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit without a goalless game for months might be the perfect solution.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM


Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for England

It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I know what he can offer me,” said the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional No 9 role.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he can continue his scoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals over every other English footballer in England's top division this season on six and is keen to add to that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM


The full-back required as playmaker and scorer

Sessegnon's story has brought some comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team recently after five challenging years in north London, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four games feature three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine scores in the league to date. Danger looms for a side that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm


5. Time for The striker to perform for the Merseyside club

The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's squad require a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from their current spot, plus a major improvement in form, and opportunity emerges as seven of their next 10 league games against sides at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing direct play and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has not played at club level for a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient

Kristen Bender
Kristen Bender

A packaging industry expert with over 15 years of experience in sustainable materials and supply chain optimization.