Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another encounter
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill attention amid a claimed £65m release clause for a potential January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable from a winger with six finishes plus three helpers and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side are in an difficult spot, having undergone a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined in their past two fixtures after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but confronting a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for England
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break although the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he can offer me,” stated the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional centre-forward role.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes than any other English footballer in the Premier League this term on six and will be eager to boost that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his former side recently after five challenging years in north London, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches take in three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals this season so far. Danger looms for a side that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for The striker to produce for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's side must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from here, as well as a major boost in performance, and a chance arises as seven out of their following ten league games facing teams currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus long balls and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played for his club over four weeks following a groin problem when making his second consecutive start in four days in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
