🔗 Share this article

---

1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh battle

Another northwest showdown may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.

Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)

---

The winger key to halting Cherries' slide

Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column treatment due to a alleged £65m release clause for his prospective winter exit, the media positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable from a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists and is joyous to watch. Still, his team occupy an difficult situation, having undergone a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one over two games over their past two matches following an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game for months may prove the perfect tonic.

Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM

---

Danny Welbeck a left-field option for the national team

It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he could offer me,” said the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 role.” Gaining the final 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his scoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals over every other English footballer in England's top division this term with six and will be anxious to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.

Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm

---

4. Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team recently after five tough years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four fixtures include three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.

Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock

---

5. Time for The striker to perform for the Merseyside club

The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The manager's team must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from this position, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity arises as seven from their next 10 league games versus teams currently in the bottom half of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that remains in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent at club level over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue during his second consecutive start in four days in Europe triumph abroad. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but was rested the midweek meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient