Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another encounter
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle in west London after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation treatment amid a reported £65m release clause for a potential mid-season move, the tabloids positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected for a attacker who has six finishes and three assists and remains delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side are in an awkward position, having undergone a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games over their past two matches after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit without a goalless game since August could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a left-field choice for the Three Lions
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he can offer me,” said the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional striker role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can maintain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes compared to any English footballer in the top flight this season with six and is keen to increase that count when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side recently following five tough years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups last season. Fulham's next four games include three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side must have a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from here, along with a significant improvement in form, and a chance presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing clubs currently in the lower half in the league. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing direct play and quick transitions that remains in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The expensive signing has been absent for his club for a month after picking up a groin problem during his second start in quick succession in continental competition triumph abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
