Premier division: ten highlights to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker set for another battle
Another northwest showdown may be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea following his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before dinking a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the former netted for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column attention amid a claimed £65m escape clause for his possible mid-season move, the media setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. This is to be expected from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes and three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an tricky position, having undergone a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one over two games in their previous two games following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit lacking a shutout for months could be the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise option for the national team
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window although the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I know what he can provide,” said the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional No 9 position.” Having won the final 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals over every other English footballer in the Premier League this campaign with six and is anxious to increase that tally when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side recently after five tough years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches include three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The manager's squad need a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from here, plus a major upturn in results, and a chance emerges with seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs presently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against long balls and quick transitions that is in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent for his club for a month following a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe triumph in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
