Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh battle
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to dinking a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster scored for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill attention following a claimed £65m release clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is joyous to watch. Still, his team occupy an awkward situation, experiencing a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games in their last two fixtures after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a left-field option for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he is able to provide,” commented the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional No 9 position.” Earning the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup if he can sustain his goal-getting performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally than any other English player in the top flight this season with six and remains eager to increase that total when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back required as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team recently following five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' next four games include three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores this season to date. Danger looms for the club that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for The striker to perform for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's side require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from their current spot, along with a major boost in performance, and the possibility arises as seven of their next 10 league games against clubs at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing long balls and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent in domestic action in a month having sustained a groin injury during his second start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph in Germany. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
