Premier division: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho set for a new battle
A Mancunian rematch might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the former found the net for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column treatment amid a claimed ÂŁ65m release clause for a prospective January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. This is predictable for a winger who has six goals plus three setups and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an awkward position, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined in their previous two matches following an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi MartĂnez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa but facing a backline without a shutout since August may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for England
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I know what he could provide,” commented the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he can sustain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals compared to any English player in the Premier League this campaign having six and is keen to add to that total when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club last year following five tough years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four games take in three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes this season to date. Danger looms for a team that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's team must have a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from here, plus a significant boost in performance, and the possibility emerges as seven from their next 10 Premier League matches facing teams currently in the bottom half in the league. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against aerial passes and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The ÂŁ125m striker has not played at club level for a month after picking up a groin problem when making his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
