Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho set for another encounter
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before dinking a ball to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? During the Argentine scored for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column focus amid a claimed ÂŁ65m buyout clause for his prospective winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three setups and remains delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an awkward position, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate over their past two matches following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi MartĂnez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however taking on a defence without a goalless game since August may prove the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Despite not knowing him, I am aware what he is able to give me,” commented the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox centre-forward role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup if he can sustain his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally compared to any English performer in the top flight this campaign on six and is keen to add to that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who returned to his youth team recently after five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four matches include three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for the club that have built a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's squad need a consistent improvement to enter the championship chase from their current spot, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance emerges with seven of their next 10 Premier League matches versus clubs at the moment in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The ÂŁ125m striker has not featured at club level for a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition triumph in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
