Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker set for a new battle
A Mancunian rematch could be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet in west London following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his talents in the Wolves match before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to dinking a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine scored for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
The winger key to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation focus following a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable from a wide player with six finishes and three assists and remains pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an difficult spot, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one combined over their past two matches following an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit without a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker an outside shout for England
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I understand what he could give me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional striker role.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally than any other English footballer in the top flight this season on six and will be anxious to increase that total as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club recently after five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. Fulham's following four matches feature three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes in the league to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's team must have a prolonged upturn to enter the league contest from this position, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself as seven from their next 10 Premier League matches facing teams presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against long balls and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not featured for his club over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
