Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill focus amid a claimed £65m escape clause for a possible winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three setups and remains delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth find themselves in an awkward spot, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined in their previous two games after an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet facing a backline lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I know what he could give me,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox centre-forward position.” Earning the last of his 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup if he manages to continue his goal-getting exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals over every other English footballer in the top flight this campaign having six and will be eager to boost that count as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team recently after five tough years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four games feature three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's side require a sustained recovery to enter the title race from this position, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility emerges as seven from their following ten Premier League matches against clubs currently in the bottom half of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus aerial passes and quick transitions that will be in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured in domestic action for a month after picking up a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League win in Germany. Isak returned off the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
