Premier division: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another encounter
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea following his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before lofting a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column treatment following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a potential winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an awkward situation, experiencing a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one over two games over their previous two matches following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defence without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for England
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he could provide,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox striker role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he can sustain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals compared to any English performer in the top flight this campaign on six and is anxious to boost that count when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five difficult years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 because of a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups last time round. Fulham's next four fixtures include three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores in the league to date. A threat emerges for a side that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's team require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from this position, as well as a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility emerges with seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing teams presently in the bottom half in the standings. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus direct play and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has been absent for his club in a month after picking up a groin problem while his second start in quick succession in the Champions League victory abroad. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
