Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker set for a new battle
Another northwest showdown might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and showcased his skills in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine netted for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation treatment due to a claimed £65m escape clause for his prospective January departure, the media positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected from a wide player who has six finishes plus three setups who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an awkward situation, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined over their past two fixtures following an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa however confronting a backline lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker an outside option for the national team
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he could offer me,” stated the England coach. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Gaining the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes compared to any English player in England's top division this season on six and is keen to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his youth team last year after five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. Fulham's upcoming four games take in three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals in the league so far. A threat emerges for the club that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from their current spot, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility emerges with seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus sides currently in the bottom half in the standings. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against long balls and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin injury while his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League win abroad. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
