Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another encounter
Another northwest showdown might be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle in west London after his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before lofting a cross toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster found the net for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column treatment due to a reported £65m escape clause for his potential January departure, the tabloids preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three assists and remains delightful to watch. Still, his team occupy an difficult situation, having engaged in a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate in their past two fixtures following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa but facing a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker a surprise choice for the national team
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I know what he could provide,” stated the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Gaining the final 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup if he manages to maintain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally over every other English footballer in England's top division this term having six and will be anxious to boost that tally as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team last year following five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. Fulham's next four fixtures include three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's team must have a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from here, plus a major upturn in results, and opportunity emerges with seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing sides currently in the bottom half in the standings. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that is in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent at club level over four weeks after picking up a groin problem while his second start in quick succession in the Champions League win abroad. He reappeared off the bench in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
