Premier division: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle in west London following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and showcased his skills in the Wolves match before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the Argentine netted for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill attention amid a claimed £65m release clause for his potential mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers who is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his team find themselves in an difficult spot, experiencing a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games in their previous two games after an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa but taking on a backline lacking a clean sheet for months might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field option for the national team
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he could offer me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional centre-forward role.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally over every other English footballer in the top flight this season on six and will be keen to boost that count when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team recently following five difficult years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. Fulham's upcoming four matches include three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for the club that have built a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for The striker to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's squad must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from here, along with a major upturn in results, and the possibility emerges with seven of their following ten Premier League matches against sides at the moment in the lower half of the table. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus long balls and quick transitions that remains under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe victory abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
