Premier division: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker set for another encounter
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet in west London after his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to lofting a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster netted for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill treatment amid a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected for a winger with six finishes plus three assists and remains delightful to watch. However, his team are in an difficult situation, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate over their past two games following an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however taking on a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game since August might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he could offer me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox striker position.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has additional strikes than any other English performer in England's top division this term on six and will be keen to increase that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back needed as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club last year following five tough years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, operating on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver in a creative role instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four games include three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine scores this season so far. Danger looms for the club that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for The striker to produce for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's side need a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from this position, plus a major improvement in form, and a chance presents itself with seven out of their next 10 league games facing teams currently in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against direct play and quick transitions that remains under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action in a month having sustained a muscle issue while his second start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match might have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
