Premier League: 10 things to look out for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho set for another encounter
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to dinking a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill focus amid a claimed £65m release clause for a possible winter exit, the media setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three assists and remains delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an awkward situation, having engaged in a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate in their last two games following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however taking on a defence lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a surprise option for the national team
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I know what he can give me,” said the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional No 9 position.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup if he is able to continue his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes compared to any English player in the top flight this season with six and is eager to add to that count as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back crucial as playmaker and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club last year after five tough years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four games include three among the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's side need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from this position, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance presents itself with seven of their following ten Premier League matches versus teams at the moment in the bottom ten in the league. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured for his club for a month following a muscle issue during his second start over a short period in the Champions League victory abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
