Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho set for a new clash
Another northwest showdown could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle in west London after his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before chipping a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? When the former scored for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column focus following a alleged £65m buyout clause for his prospective mid-season move, the media preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected for a winger who has six goals plus three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an awkward spot, having engaged in a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 over two games over their previous two games after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence without a clean sheet for months could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for England
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I know what he could give me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this term having six and is eager to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his former side last year after five tough years at Tottenham, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four games feature three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the league this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's squad require a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from this position, plus a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity arises as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures facing sides presently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent for his club for a month after picking up a groin injury when making his second start over a short period in Europe win in Germany. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient