Premier division: ten highlights to watch for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new clash
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his skills in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former found the net for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill attention following a claimed £65m escape clause for his prospective winter exit, the media preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth find themselves in an difficult position, having undergone a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one combined in their past two matches after an strong start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa however facing a backline lacking a clean sheet for months could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for England
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he could provide,” commented the England coach. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox centre-forward role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup if he manages to continue his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals compared to any English player in the Premier League this term with six and will be keen to add to that total when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back needed as playmaker and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side recently after five challenging years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 because of a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four fixtures take in three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's side require a consistent improvement to enter the title race from here, plus a significant improvement in form, and the possibility arises with seven out of their following ten league games facing clubs currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and quick transitions that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent for his club for a month following a groin problem during his second consecutive start in four days in Europe victory abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match against Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
