Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well in west London after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and showcased his skills in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before chipping a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column focus amid a alleged £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the tabloids positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable from a winger who has six finishes plus three helpers and is delightful to watch. Still, his team occupy an difficult spot, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games in their past two games after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but facing a backline without a shutout for months could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a surprise shout for the national team
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I understand what he can give me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional striker position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup provided he can sustain his goal-getting performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes over every other English player in the top flight this campaign on six and remains anxious to boost that count when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team recently after five challenging years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' following four matches take in three among the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes this season to date. Danger looms for the club that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for The striker to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's side need a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from here, as well as a major boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself with seven of their next 10 league games versus clubs at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus long balls and quick transitions that remains in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action in a month having sustained a groin problem when making his second start in quick succession in continental competition triumph abroad. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
