Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another battle
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and showcased his skills against Wolves prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to dinking a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster scored for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation attention due to a reported £65m buyout clause for his prospective winter exit, the gossip columns preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable for a winger with six goals plus three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. However, his side occupy an awkward situation, having undergone a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined in their last two fixtures after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but confronting a defence lacking a goalless game for months may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a surprise shout for the national team
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he can give me,” said the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes compared to any English performer in England's top division this season on six and remains eager to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team recently following five difficult years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, driving down the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. Fulham's following four matches take in three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals this season this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's team must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the title race from this position, along with a significant improvement in form, and a chance emerges as seven of their following ten Premier League matches facing clubs presently in the bottom half of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against direct play and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action for a month after picking up a groin injury when making his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition win abroad. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
