Premier division: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle in west London after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to dinking a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the former scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
The winger key to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill treatment following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a prospective winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable for a attacker who has six finishes plus three setups and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side are in an awkward position, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one over two games in their past two fixtures following an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa however taking on a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a surprise option for England
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he can give me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional centre-forward role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals than any other English performer in the Premier League this campaign having six and is keen to boost that count when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side last year after five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he is their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer last season, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four games take in three among the top five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals in the Premier League this season. Danger looms for a side that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's side require a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from here, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility emerges as seven from their following ten league games facing teams at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat on the champions in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent in domestic action in a month after picking up a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition victory abroad. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking in that match could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
