Premier division: ten highlights to look out for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another clash
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his talents versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill attention due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for a possible January departure, the tabloids preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and is pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an tricky spot, experiencing a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate in their last two games after an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game for months might be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the national team
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I know what he can provide,” commented the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox centre-forward role.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally over every other English performer in England's top division this campaign on six and will be anxious to increase that tally when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side last year following five challenging years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures take in three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's side must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from here, plus a major improvement in form, and a chance arises as seven out of their following ten league games versus teams at the moment in the lower half of the table. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent at club level in a month following a groin injury during his second consecutive start in four days in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but missed the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
