Premier division: ten highlights to look out for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new battle
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before chipping a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger vital to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete gossip column focus amid a reported ÂŁ65m buyout clause for his prospective mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable for a attacker who has six finishes and three setups who is joyous to watch. Still, his team occupy an difficult spot, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate over their past two matches following an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi MartĂnez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a left-field choice for the national team
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he can give me,” said the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional striker position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals compared to any English performer in the top flight this campaign having six and will be keen to add to that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team last year following five tough years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. Fulham's next four fixtures include three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a team that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side require a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from this position, as well as a significant boost in performance, and opportunity arises as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures against clubs presently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus direct play and quick transitions that remains in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The ÂŁ125m striker has not played for his club over four weeks following a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in Europe victory abroad. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient