Premier division: ten highlights to look out for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker set for another battle
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle in west London following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former netted for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation treatment amid a alleged £65m escape clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected from a wide player who has six finishes and three helpers and remains delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an awkward position, having engaged in a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one combined in their previous two fixtures after an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck a left-field option for England
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional striker position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he can continue his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals compared to any English performer in the Premier League this campaign having six and is anxious to add to that count when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided some positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his former side recently following five tough years in north London, is now a consistent pick, driving down the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up as a creator in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four matches include three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine scores this season to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for The striker to produce for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's team require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from here, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity arises with seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus sides currently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing long balls and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured for his club for a month after picking up a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League victory abroad. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
