Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker set for another encounter
Another northwest showdown might be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of how quickly things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
The winger key to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill attention due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable from a attacker with six goals and three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky position, having undergone a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 over two games over their last two fixtures following an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa yet confronting a backline lacking a clean sheet for months might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside shout for the national team
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I know what he is able to offer me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional centre-forward position.” Earning the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally over every other English footballer in England's top division this term on six and is anxious to add to that count as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided some positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his former side last year after five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four fixtures take in three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals this season this season. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's team require a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from here, plus a significant boost in performance, and a chance arises with seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures facing teams currently in the lower half in the league. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against long balls and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has not played for his club in a month after picking up a groin problem while his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition win abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
