Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another encounter
Another northwest showdown might be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill treatment amid a reported £65m release clause for a possible winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable for a attacker who has six finishes plus three assists and remains delightful to watch. However, his side are in an awkward situation, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one over two games over their previous two matches following an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa however facing a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I know what he is able to provide,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional striker position.” Earning the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes over every other English player in England's top division this campaign with six and will be anxious to add to that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team recently following five difficult years in north London, is now a regular starter, driving down the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. Fulham's next four fixtures include three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the Premier League this season. Danger looms for the club that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The manager's squad must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from their current spot, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance arises with seven of their upcoming ten league games versus clubs currently in the bottom half in the league. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against direct play and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played at club level in a month having sustained a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League victory abroad. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
