Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another battle
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet in west London following his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before lofting a ball toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the youngster found the net for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete transfer speculation treatment following a alleged £65m escape clause for his potential winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable for a attacker with six goals and three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team find themselves in an awkward spot, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games in their previous two games after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but facing a backline lacking a goalless game since August may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a surprise option for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window although the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I know what he can offer me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional striker position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes over every other English footballer in the top flight this campaign on six and will be keen to increase that total as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team last year following five tough years in north London, is now a regular starter, driving down the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' next four games include three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine scores in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's team require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from their current spot, along with a major improvement in form, and a chance arises with seven of their following ten Premier League matches facing teams currently in the bottom half in the standings. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against direct play and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not played at club level in a month after picking up a muscle issue during his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League triumph in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
