Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another encounter
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and showcased his abilities against Wolves before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to lofting a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the former scored for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill treatment following a claimed £65m release clause for his potential winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. That is to be expected from a attacker with six finishes and three assists and remains delightful to watch. However, his side are in an tricky situation, having engaged in a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games over their previous two matches after an strong start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa however taking on a backline lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field option for England
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he can offer me,” said the England boss. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox striker role.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally than any other English performer in England's top division this season having six and remains keen to add to that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club last year after five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man last season, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four matches include three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes in the league to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's side need a consistent improvement to enter the title race from their current spot, as well as a dramatic upturn in results, and opportunity emerges as seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus clubs currently in the lower half in the league. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against long balls and fast breaks that is in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action over four weeks following a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition victory abroad. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
