Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column attention due to a reported £65m release clause for his possible January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists and is delightful to watch. However, his team occupy an awkward spot, having undergone a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate in their last two fixtures after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa however taking on a defence without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside option for England
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Earning the last of his 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals than any other English performer in the top flight this season with six and is keen to boost that total when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club last year following five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures include three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for a team that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's team must have a sustained recovery to enter the title race from here, plus a significant boost in performance, and opportunity arises with seven from their upcoming ten league games against sides at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance against long balls and fast breaks that is in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played at club level over four weeks following a groin problem when making his second start in four days in Europe triumph abroad. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
