Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his talents in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column attention due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for a possible mid-season move, the media setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected for a attacker with six finishes plus three assists and is pleasurable to watch. However, his side occupy an awkward spot, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven to one combined over their previous two games after an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break even though the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he could give me,” stated the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional striker position.” Gaining the final 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals than any other English footballer in England's top division this season on six and is eager to add to that total as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures take in three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores in the league to date. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's side require a sustained recovery to enter the championship chase from here, along with a major boost in performance, and opportunity emerges as seven of their upcoming ten league games facing teams presently in the lower half in the league. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against long balls and quick transitions that is in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action in a month after picking up a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient