Premier division: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill treatment following a alleged £65m release clause for his potential winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected for a attacker with six goals and three assists and remains pleasurable to watch. However, his side occupy an tricky spot, having undergone a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined in their past two fixtures following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet confronting a backline lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field option for England
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he could offer me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he manages to continue his scoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes over every other English performer in England's top division this season with six and remains keen to increase that total as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five difficult years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. Fulham's next four matches take in three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from here, plus a significant improvement in form, and a chance arises with seven of their following ten league games versus clubs presently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display against long balls and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action over four weeks following a muscle issue while his second start in four days in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but was rested the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
