Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for another battle
Another northwest showdown might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before dinking a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column focus following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a possible mid-season move, the media setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable for a attacker with six goals plus three setups who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side are in an tricky situation, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games in their previous two fixtures following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa but taking on a backline lacking a clean sheet since August might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a left-field choice for England
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break even though the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Without even knowing him, I am aware what he can give me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox striker role.” Having won the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup if he can sustain his goal-getting performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals than any other English player in the Premier League this term on six and remains keen to add to that count as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his former side last year following five difficult years in north London, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker last season, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures include three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the league so far. Danger looms for a side that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they fell to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's team need a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from their current spot, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself with seven from their following ten Premier League matches against sides presently in the lower half in the league. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured for his club in a month after picking up a groin problem during his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League win in Germany. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but missed the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his readiness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
