Premier division: ten highlights to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another clash
A Mancunian rematch could be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before dinking a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former netted for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire gossip column focus amid a reported £65m buyout clause for his prospective January departure, the media preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and remains delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an tricky situation, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate in their past two fixtures after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa however taking on a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game since August may prove the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” said the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox centre-forward position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup if he manages to maintain his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals compared to any English player in the top flight this campaign with six and will be anxious to boost that total as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back crucial as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team last year after five difficult years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man in the last term, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' following four games include three among the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores in the league so far. Danger looms for a side that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's side need a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from here, along with a significant improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself with seven from their upcoming ten league games facing clubs presently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance versus direct play and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has been absent for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin problem when making his second start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
