Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion may be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before dinking a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column attention amid a reported £65m buyout clause for his potential winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable from a winger with six goals and three assists and is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an difficult situation, experiencing a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate in their previous two games following an promising start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but confronting a defence that hasn't kept a shutout for months may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker a surprise option for England
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window although the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he is able to give me,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Having won the final 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes than any other English performer in the Premier League this term with six and will be anxious to add to that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club recently after five challenging years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged one goal whereas 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 registered ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' next four fixtures feature three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes this season this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's squad must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from their current spot, plus a major improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself with seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs presently in the bottom half in the standings. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus direct play and quick transitions that will be in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin injury while his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League triumph abroad. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
