Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before chipping a ball to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? During the former netted for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill attention following a reported £65m escape clause for a possible winter exit, the media preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side are in an tricky position, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate in their previous two fixtures after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but taking on a defence without a shutout since August could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he can give me,” commented the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional No 9 position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup provided he can sustain his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes than any other English performer in the top flight this season on six and will be anxious to add to that count when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team recently after five tough years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups last season. Fulham's next four games feature three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's team need a prolonged upturn to enter the league contest from this position, plus a significant improvement in form, and the possibility arises with seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus clubs currently in the bottom half in the standings. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display against aerial passes and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent at club level over four weeks after picking up a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
