Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new battle
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet in west London after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and showcased his skills against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill treatment due to a reported £65m escape clause for a possible mid-season move, the media positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. However, his team find themselves in an difficult situation, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate over their past two games after an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but facing a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” stated the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional striker role.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes than any other English player in the Premier League this season with six and will be keen to add to that count when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club last year after five tough years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' next four matches take in three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores this season this season. Danger looms for the club that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's squad must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from here, plus a significant improvement in form, and the possibility arises with seven of their following ten league games versus teams at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action in a month having sustained a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe victory in Germany. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
