Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new battle
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea after his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his skills against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to dinking a cross toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? During the former netted for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill focus following a reported £65m release clause for his possible January departure, the tabloids preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected for a attacker with six goals and three assists and is delightful to watch. Still, his team are in an awkward spot, having engaged in a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate over their previous two fixtures following an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a defence without a goalless game since August may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window although the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he can give me,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes over every other English footballer in the top flight this campaign on six and will be anxious to increase that total when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team recently following five challenging years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, operating on the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' next four games feature three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores this season so far. A threat emerges for a side that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Isak to produce for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's side must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from here, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself with seven out of their upcoming ten league games versus sides currently in the lower half in the league. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not featured for his club in a month having sustained a groin injury during his second consecutive start in four days in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
