Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new battle
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his skills against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster netted for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column treatment amid a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is understandable from a winger with six finishes plus three assists and is joyous to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an tricky spot, having undergone a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate over their last two games following an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August may prove the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker an outside choice for the national team
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I know what he is able to give me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes over every other English player in the Premier League this campaign having six and is keen to boost that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team last year following five challenging years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. Fulham's following four games take in three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals this season so far. Danger looms for a team that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for The striker to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's team must have a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from here, plus a significant upturn in results, and a chance arises as seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches against sides at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and counterattacks that remains in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured for his club over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue while his second start over a short period in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
