Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker set for a new clash
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and showcased his skills in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before lofting a ball toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster scored for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire gossip column attention due to a reported £65m buyout clause for a prospective mid-season move, the media positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable for a winger with six finishes and three setups and remains joyous to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an difficult spot, experiencing a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate in their last two games after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but facing a defence without a goalless game since August might be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a surprise option for the national team
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I am aware what he could offer me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional centre-forward role.” Gaining the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally compared to any English player in England's top division this season having six and is eager to boost that total when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back needed as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side recently after five difficult years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left flank in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four games take in three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the league this season. A threat emerges for a side that have built a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for The striker to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's team must have a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from here, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and opportunity emerges with seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches versus teams currently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing direct play and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent at club level over four weeks after picking up a groin problem when making his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
