Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new clash
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his abilities against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? During the former found the net for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire gossip column attention amid a alleged £65m buyout clause for a potential January departure, the media setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and is delightful to watch. Still, his team are in an awkward position, having undergone a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one combined over their past two games after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but confronting a defence that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a surprise option for the national team
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I understand what he can provide,” said the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox centre-forward role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he can maintain his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals compared to any English performer in the top flight this term having six and will be eager to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team recently after five difficult years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, driving down the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' next four fixtures feature three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the league so far. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's side must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from here, plus a significant upturn in results, and the possibility arises with seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches against sides currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and counterattacks that remains in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played at club level for a month having sustained a groin problem when making his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition triumph in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
