Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another encounter
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete transfer speculation focus following a reported £65m escape clause for a prospective mid-season move, the media positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable for a wide player with six finishes and three assists who is joyous to watch. Still, his team are in an tricky spot, experiencing a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined over their last two matches after an promising start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet taking on a defence lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he could provide,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox No 9 position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals than any other English performer in the top flight this campaign having six and will be keen to boost that total when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team last year following five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' next four games include three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes this season to date. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's team require a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from their current spot, plus a major boost in performance, and a chance emerges as seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures against sides at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and counterattacks that will be in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action for a month following a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start in four days in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game against Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
