Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another battle
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and showcased his skills in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the former found the net for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger key to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation treatment amid a reported £65m buyout clause for a possible January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. That is predictable for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an awkward position, having undergone a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate over their last two matches following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet taking on a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game since August may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field option for England
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Without even knowing him, I am aware what he can offer me,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional striker position.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup provided he can maintain his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals over every other English performer in the Premier League this campaign with six and will be anxious to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team recently following five challenging years in north London, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' next four games feature three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine scores this season so far. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for The striker to perform for the Reds
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's side must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from here, along with a major boost in performance, and opportunity arises as seven from their following ten league games facing clubs presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action in a month after picking up a groin problem when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match would have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
