Premier League: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho set for a new battle
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea after his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before dinking a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column attention amid a alleged £65m escape clause for a possible mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable for a attacker who has six finishes and three helpers and is joyous to watch. Still, his team are in an awkward position, having undergone a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate over their last two matches after an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker an outside choice for the national team
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he could provide,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox striker role.” Having won the final 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup if he manages to continue his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this season with six and remains anxious to boost that count as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club recently after five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, operating on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' next four fixtures feature three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals this season to date. Danger looms for a team that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's squad must have a sustained recovery to enter the championship chase from here, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity emerges with seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing clubs currently in the bottom half of the table. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against direct play and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has not played for his club for a month having sustained a groin problem when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition victory in Germany. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
