Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new clash
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster scored for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger vital to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill attention due to a reported £65m release clause for his possible mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is predictable for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an tricky situation, having engaged in a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven-one combined in their past two fixtures following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet facing a backline without a clean sheet since August may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he could give me,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional striker role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally than any other English footballer in England's top division this season with six and is keen to boost that count when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team last year after five difficult years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures feature three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals in the league so far. Danger looms for a side that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for The striker to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's team need a sustained recovery to enter the title race from their current spot, as well as a major upturn in results, and the possibility arises as seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus clubs at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus long balls and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured at club level in a month following a groin injury during his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe triumph abroad. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
