Premier division: ten highlights to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker set for a new encounter
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to chipping a cross toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill focus following a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable from a attacker with a half-dozen strikes and three assists who is pleasurable to watch. However, his team occupy an awkward spot, experiencing a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games over their past two games following an promising start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however taking on a defensive unit lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a left-field option for the national team
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton striker celebrates 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he can give me,” said the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox striker role.” Earning the last of his 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals than any other English performer in the Premier League this term having six and remains anxious to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side last year after five challenging years in north London, has become a regular starter, operating on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man last season, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. The Cottagers' following four fixtures feature three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the league so far. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's side require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from this position, plus a major improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself as seven from their following ten Premier League matches against teams at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured at club level over four weeks following a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
