Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new encounter
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle in west London following his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his skills in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former netted for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation focus following a alleged £65m release clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. This is to be expected from a winger who has six goals plus three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his side are in an awkward situation, experiencing a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined in their past two matches after an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence without a goalless game for months might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for the national team
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause although the Brighton striker reaches 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I know what he could offer me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox centre-forward role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally than any other English footballer in England's top division this campaign having six and remains keen to increase that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back needed as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side last year after five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker last season, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver in a creative role in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' following four fixtures include three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the league this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's side need a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from their current spot, plus a significant boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself as seven of their upcoming ten league games facing clubs at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against long balls and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played for his club over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League victory in Germany. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match would have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
