Premier League: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new clash
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his abilities against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a perfect low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before dinking a cross toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former scored for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column attention following a alleged £65m release clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is understandable from a winger with six finishes and three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team find themselves in an difficult situation, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate in their last two games after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet taking on a backline lacking a goalless game for months may prove the perfect solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker a surprise shout for the national team
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I know what he could offer me,” said the England boss. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox striker position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup provided he manages to continue his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals than any other English player in the top flight this campaign having six and will be eager to boost that total as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team recently following five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's next four matches take in three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's team must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, plus a major improvement in form, and opportunity arises as seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches versus sides at the moment in the lower half in the league. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against direct play and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action in a month having sustained a muscle issue while his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition victory in Germany. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
