Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle in west London after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his talents against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete gossip column attention following a reported £65m escape clause for a prospective mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a wide player with six goals plus three setups and remains joyous to watch. However, his team find themselves in an tricky spot, having undergone a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate over their past two matches following an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for the national team
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I understand what he could offer me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox centre-forward role.” Having won the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he can sustain his goal-getting performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally over every other English player in the Premier League this campaign with six and will be keen to add to that total as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team recently following five difficult years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, operating on the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four games feature three among the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes this season to date. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for The striker to deliver for the Reds
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's team require a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a major upturn in results, and the possibility emerges as seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus sides currently in the lower half in the league. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing against aerial passes and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured for his club in a month following a groin injury during his second start in four days in the Champions League triumph in Germany. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
