Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion may be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is finding his feet in west London after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before dinking a cross 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 pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill attention due to a claimed £65m escape clause for his potential January departure, the media positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. That is predictable from a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an awkward position, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate over their last two matches following an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet facing a defence without a clean sheet for months could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise shout for the national team
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window although the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I am aware what he is able to offer me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional No 9 position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes over every other English performer in the Premier League this season on six and remains keen to add to that total when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team last year following five challenging years with Spurs, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker last season, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. Fulham's following four matches feature three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores this season to date. Danger looms for a team that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's side require a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from this position, as well as a major upturn in results, and opportunity arises as seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing teams at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and fast breaks that will be in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action over four weeks following a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League victory in Germany. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
