Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well in west London after his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to lofting a ball to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column focus due to a alleged £65m escape clause for a possible mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable from a attacker with six goals plus three setups who is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an difficult situation, experiencing a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined over their past two games after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa however confronting a defence lacking a goalless game since August may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker an outside option for England
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he can provide,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox No 9 role.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals compared to any English performer in the top flight this term with six and is anxious to add to that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back crucial as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided some comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club last year after five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' following four games include three among the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the league this season. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's team need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from this position, as well as a major boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself with seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing teams at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against direct play and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured at club level for a month having sustained a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
