Premier division: ten highlights to look out for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another battle
A Mancunian rematch may be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to lofting a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill focus amid a alleged £65m escape clause for a potential winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected for a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three assists and remains joyous to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an awkward spot, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined over their past two fixtures after an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa however confronting a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game since August might be the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for England
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he could offer me,” said the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox striker role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup if he can maintain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals over every other English player in England's top division this campaign with six and is anxious to add to that count as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who returned to his youth team last year after five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, operating on the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. Fulham's next four fixtures include three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the league to date. A threat emerges for the club that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the title race from this position, along with a major boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself as seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against clubs currently in the lower half in the league. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus long balls and quick transitions that will be in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not featured for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient