Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well in west London following his summer move from the Red Devils and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before dinking a ball toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the former scored for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column focus amid a claimed ÂŁ65m release clause for a potential mid-season move, the media setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable from a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three assists who is pleasurable to watch. However, his side find themselves in an awkward situation, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined in their previous two matches following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi MartĂnez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa however taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside option for England
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he can provide,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional No 9 position.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he can continue his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally than any other English footballer in the Premier League this season on six and will be anxious to increase that tally when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team last year after five challenging years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures feature three among the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores in the league this season. A threat emerges for the club that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's side require a consistent improvement to enter the title race from here, as well as a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility emerges with seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing sides at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus aerial passes and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played at club level in a month following a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League victory in Germany. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but missed the subsequent inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
