Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new battle
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea after his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before chipping a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the former found the net for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation attention following a claimed £65m escape clause for a possible January departure, the media positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable from a attacker with six goals plus three assists who is pleasurable to watch. However, his side occupy an tricky position, experiencing a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one combined over their previous two fixtures following an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but confronting a defence lacking a clean sheet since August may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker a left-field choice for England
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he is able to provide,” said the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox No 9 role.” Having won the last of his 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals than any other English performer in the Premier League this season with six and is keen to add to that total as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team recently following five difficult years in north London, is now a regular starter, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. Fulham's following four games take in three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals this season this season. Danger looms for a side that have developed a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's team need a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from this position, plus a major upturn in results, and opportunity emerges as seven of their next 10 Premier League matches versus clubs presently in the lower half in the standings. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus direct play and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not featured for his club in a month following a muscle issue during his second start in four days in the Champions League triumph abroad. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
