Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho set for a new battle
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is adapting well in west London after his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents against Wolves before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to dinking a cross across the goalmouth. 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? Back when the Argentine netted for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger vital to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill focus following a reported ÂŁ65m release clause for a prospective mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected for a wide player who has six goals and three assists who is pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an awkward situation, having undergone a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate in their previous two games following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi MartĂnez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defence lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field choice for England
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Despite not knowing him, I am aware what he could offer me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox No 9 role.” Earning the final 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup provided he can maintain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals than any other English player in the top flight this season on six and remains anxious to boost that total as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back needed as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought some warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups last season. The Cottagers' following four matches feature three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine scores this season this season. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad need a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from their current spot, plus a major improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself as seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs at the moment in the lower half of the table. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and quick transitions that will be in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured at club level in a month after picking up a groin injury during his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
