Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for another battle
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a perfect low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before chipping a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill treatment following a reported £65m escape clause for a prospective mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected for a attacker with six finishes plus three helpers and remains delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an awkward situation, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate in their previous two matches after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but facing a defence lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside option for England
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he can give me,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional No 9 role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup provided he can maintain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes than any other English performer in the Premier League this campaign with six and is eager to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club recently after five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' following four games take in three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine scores in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's team require a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from here, plus a major improvement in form, and opportunity arises with seven from their upcoming ten league games facing sides at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action in a month having sustained a groin problem when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition triumph abroad. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
