Premier division: 10 things to look out for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another battle
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his abilities against Wolves before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to chipping a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former found the net for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation treatment amid a claimed £65m release clause for a potential mid-season move, the tabloids positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable for a attacker who has six finishes plus three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an difficult spot, having engaged in a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate over their past two fixtures following an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however confronting a backline lacking a clean sheet since August could be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he can give me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional striker position.” Gaining the final 42 caps several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals over every other English footballer in the Premier League this season with six and will be keen to boost that total as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided some positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team last year after five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures feature three among the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores in the league so far. Danger looms for a side that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's side must have a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, as well as a major improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself with seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures versus teams currently in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus long balls and quick transitions that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has not played at club level over four weeks following a muscle issue during his second start over a short period in Europe win abroad. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game against Slovenia to secure his readiness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
