Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another encounter
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his talents in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before chipping a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster found the net for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger vital to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill attention amid a reported £65m escape clause for his prospective mid-season move, the media preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected for a attacker with six goals plus three assists and remains joyous to watch. However, his team find themselves in an tricky position, having engaged in a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games in their past two fixtures after an promising start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa however taking on a defensive unit lacking a shutout for months could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he is able to offer me,” stated the England coach. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox No 9 position.” Gaining the final 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup provided he can maintain his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals compared to any English player in the top flight this season on six and is eager to boost that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club recently following five tough years in north London, has become a regular starter, operating on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided ten setups last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches take in three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's squad need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from here, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance emerges as seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures against sides currently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against aerial passes and counterattacks that will be in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action over four weeks following a groin problem during his second consecutive start in four days in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game could have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
