Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion might be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea after his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster netted for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger key to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column treatment following a alleged £65m buyout clause for his possible winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable for a attacker with a half-dozen strikes and three setups and is pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an difficult spot, having undergone a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined over their last two matches after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however taking on a defensive unit lacking a goalless game for months might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise option for England
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he can provide,” stated the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox centre-forward position.” Gaining the final 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he can continue his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes than any other English footballer in England's top division this season having six and remains eager to boost that count when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club recently following five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker last season, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures include three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for a team that have built a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's side need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from here, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility arises with seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures versus teams presently in the lower half of the table. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus direct play and fast breaks that will be in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured at club level for a month after picking up a groin injury when making his second start in four days in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
