Premier division: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his talents in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before chipping a ball to the back 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 faced Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill focus due to a claimed £65m release clause for his possible January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected from a winger with six goals plus three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an awkward situation, having engaged in a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate in their last two fixtures following an promising start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however confronting a backline without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker an outside option for the Three Lions
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Without even knowing him, I am aware what he could offer me,” stated the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup if he can continue his scoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals compared to any English footballer in the top flight this term on six and remains eager to add to that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back crucial as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The left-sided player, who returned to his youth team last year after five difficult years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. Fulham's following four matches take in three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores in the league to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's team must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance presents itself with seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures versus clubs currently in the bottom half in the league. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus direct play and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent for his club in a month having sustained a groin problem while his second start in four days in Europe win in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
