Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new battle
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet in west London following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before lofting a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column treatment due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable from a winger who has six goals plus three assists who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side are in an difficult position, experiencing a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined in their last two matches following an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit lacking a goalless game for months could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break even though the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I know what he could provide,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional No 9 role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals over every other English performer in the Premier League this season having six and is eager to increase that total as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team recently after five challenging years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' next four games take in three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine scores in the league to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The manager's team must have a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from their current spot, along with a significant upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself with seven of their following ten Premier League matches facing sides currently in the bottom half of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus long balls and quick transitions that is in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured for his club in a month after picking up a groin problem during his second start in four days in continental competition triumph in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
