Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to lofting a ball to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the former scored for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete transfer speculation attention due to a reported £65m escape clause for his potential mid-season move, the tabloids positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is delightful to watch. However, his team find themselves in an tricky spot, having undergone a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games in their previous two games after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa but confronting a defence lacking a goalless game for months could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker a surprise shout for the national team
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I know what he can offer me,” stated the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional centre-forward position.” Having won the last of his 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally over every other English player in the top flight this campaign on six and will be anxious to boost that count when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team last year following five difficult years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four fixtures include three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's side must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, along with a major boost in performance, and opportunity emerges as seven from their next 10 Premier League matches versus clubs currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat on the champions in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus long balls and counterattacks that remains in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent for his club for a month following a groin problem while his second start in four days in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday would have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
