Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh clash
A Mancunian rematch could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before lofting a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former scored for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill attention due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for a prospective mid-season move, the media setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected from a attacker who has six finishes and three setups and is delightful to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an tricky situation, experiencing a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate in their previous two games after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit without a shutout since August might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside shout for the national team
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he could offer me,” said the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional striker position.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup if he can maintain his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals over every other English player in England's top division this campaign on six and remains keen to increase that count as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team recently after five difficult years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, driving down the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four games feature three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's team require a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from this position, as well as a significant upturn in results, and the possibility arises with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing clubs currently in the bottom half in the standings. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat on the champions in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus direct play and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action over four weeks following a muscle issue while his second start over a short period in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
