Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is finding his feet in west London following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and showcased his talents against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine found the net for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation focus due to a alleged £65m release clause for his possible mid-season move, the tabloids positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable from a wide player who has six finishes and three setups who is pleasurable to watch. However, his side find themselves in an awkward situation, having engaged in a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate in their last two fixtures after an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game since August might be the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker an outside option for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he can give me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional No 9 role.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup provided he can continue his scoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally than any other English player in the top flight this term having six and is eager to boost that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team recently following five tough years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, driving down the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' following four fixtures include three among the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores this season this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's team need a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from here, along with a significant boost in performance, and a chance emerges with seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing sides currently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that remains in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent for his club for a month following a groin injury while his second start in four days in continental competition win in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
