Premier division: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new clash
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his skills against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before dinking a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger key to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill focus amid a reported £65m release clause for his possible January departure, the media positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a attacker who has six goals and three helpers and remains delightful to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an awkward situation, experiencing a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one combined over their last two fixtures after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet facing a backline lacking a clean sheet for months may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the national team
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I understand what he could offer me,” said the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional striker position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup if he is able to maintain his scoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally over every other English player in the top flight this season on six and is keen to add to that total as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side last year after five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, operating on the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man last season, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches feature three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes this season so far. Danger looms for a side that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's squad require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the title race from this position, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity arises with seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing clubs presently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent at club level for a month having sustained a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in Europe victory in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
