Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh clash
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his skills against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before lofting a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former netted for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger key to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill focus amid a claimed £65m release clause for a possible winter exit, the media setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is predictable for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is joyous to watch. Still, his team are in an awkward situation, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate in their last two games after an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but taking on a backline without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker an outside shout for England
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he can provide,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional centre-forward role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals than any other English performer in the top flight this term having six and will be keen to boost that total as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team last year following five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a consistent pick, driving down the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four games include three among the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the league to date. Danger looms for a team that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's side must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from here, along with a significant upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures against teams currently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured for his club in a month having sustained a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League win abroad. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
