Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another battle
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle in west London following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to dinking a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster netted for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger key to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete transfer speculation treatment following a reported £65m buyout clause for his potential January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable for a attacker with six goals plus three assists who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an tricky situation, having engaged in a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined over their last two games following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa but facing a backline without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for England
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he could offer me,” commented the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox No 9 position.” Earning the last of his 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes compared to any English player in England's top division this season having six and is anxious to increase that total when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back crucial as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club last year after five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' following four matches include three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's side must have a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from here, plus a significant upturn in results, and the possibility emerges as seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against clubs currently in the lower half of the table. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and counterattacks that is in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin problem when making his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League victory abroad. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
