Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho set for a new encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the former found the net for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill focus following a alleged £65m escape clause for his possible mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable for a wide player who has six goals and three setups and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side are in an tricky spot, having engaged in a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate in their previous two fixtures following an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for England
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he can provide,” stated the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional No 9 position.” Having won the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally compared to any English performer in the Premier League this campaign having six and remains keen to increase that count when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back crucial as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team recently following five difficult years in north London, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer last season, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. Fulham's next four matches include three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals in the league so far. Danger looms for a team that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's side require a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from their current spot, along with a major boost in performance, and the possibility arises as seven out of their following ten Premier League matches against sides presently in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus direct play and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has been absent for his club in a month after picking up a groin injury during his second start in quick succession in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match would have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
