Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another encounter
Another northwest showdown may be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his skills in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the former netted for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column treatment amid a alleged £65m release clause for a potential January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. This is to be expected for a winger with six goals and three helpers and remains delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an tricky spot, having engaged in a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate in their previous two fixtures following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but taking on a backline lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for England
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he could provide,” said the England coach. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox centre-forward role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he is able to continue his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes than any other English performer in England's top division this campaign having six and is anxious to increase that count as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team recently after five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four games include three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a side that have earned a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus 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 must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from this position, along with a major boost in performance, and a chance emerges with seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against sides presently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus long balls and fast breaks that is in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action for a month after picking up a groin injury while his second start in quick succession in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday could have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
