Premier division: ten highlights to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker set for another battle
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea following his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to chipping a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine scored for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill attention due to a alleged £65m release clause for his possible winter exit, the media positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected for a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an difficult position, experiencing a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games in their past two games after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however facing a backline lacking a goalless game for months may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for the national team
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he can offer me,” said the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional No 9 position.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup provided he manages to continue his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals over every other English performer in the top flight this campaign with six and will be eager to increase that total when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team recently following five tough years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, operating on the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four games take in three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals this season so far. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad need a consistent improvement to enter the title race from their current spot, along with a significant upturn in results, and the possibility arises as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures against sides presently in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus long balls and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has not played for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin injury during his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League win abroad. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
