Premier League: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker set for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to chipping a cross toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster netted for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete transfer speculation attention following a reported £65m buyout clause for a potential January departure, the media positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an awkward spot, having undergone a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games in their last two matches after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a left-field option for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he can offer me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional centre-forward role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally compared to any English player in the top flight this term on six and will be eager to boost that count when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side last year after five difficult years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man last season, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four games feature three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine scores this season this season. Danger looms for a side that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for The striker to deliver for the Reds
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's side require a consistent improvement to enter the championship chase from here, as well as a significant boost in performance, and a chance emerges with seven of their next 10 league games against clubs at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display against direct play and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played at club level for a month after picking up a muscle issue during his second consecutive start in four days in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute during Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
