Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new encounter
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea following his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to chipping a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine found the net for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column focus following a alleged £65m release clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable for a winger with six goals and three assists who is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an difficult spot, experiencing a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate in their past two games after an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet confronting a defence lacking a goalless game since August may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for England
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I know what he could offer me,” said the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional No 9 position.” Having won the last of his 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals than any other English footballer in the top flight this campaign with six and is keen to increase that count when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team recently after five challenging years in north London, has become a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four matches include three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals this season to date. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's squad must have a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from this position, plus a major upturn in results, and opportunity arises as seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing clubs currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent for his club in a month following a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League victory in Germany. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
