Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea following his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his talents in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a perfect low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before lofting a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation attention amid a claimed £65m escape clause for his prospective January departure, the media positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable from a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes and three setups and remains delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an awkward situation, experiencing a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven-one combined in their last two matches after an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa however confronting a backline that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he is able to provide,” stated the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox No 9 role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup if he is able to maintain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally than any other English player in England's top division this campaign on six and is anxious to increase that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team last year following five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last time round. Fulham's following four matches include three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores in the league this season. Danger looms for a team that have earned a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's team must have a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from here, as well as a major upturn in results, and opportunity emerges as seven of their upcoming ten league games against clubs presently in the bottom half in the league. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that will be in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent for his club over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League win in Germany. He reappeared from the bench in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game would have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
