Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new battle
A Manchester reunion might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to dinking a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation treatment following a claimed £65m release clause for a prospective January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. That is to be expected from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. Still, his side occupy an awkward situation, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined in their previous two fixtures following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August may prove the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a left-field choice for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he could offer me,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional striker position.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals than any other English footballer in England's top division this campaign with six and remains keen to add to that total when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided some warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side recently after five challenging years with Spurs, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' next four fixtures include three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for a team that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's squad require a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from here, as well as a major boost in performance, and a chance arises as seven from their upcoming ten league games against clubs presently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance when facing direct play and counterattacks that will be in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played for his club for a month after picking up a muscle issue during his second start over a short period in Europe triumph abroad. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match could have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
