Premier League: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet in west London following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his skills against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to dinking a delivery to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster scored for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column attention following a claimed £65m buyout clause for his potential mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable for a wide player with six goals and three setups and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side are in an awkward position, having undergone a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games over their previous two games following an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet confronting a defensive unit without a clean sheet since August may prove the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for the national team
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window although the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he can give me,” said the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional striker position.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals than any other English performer in England's top division this term with six and remains keen to add to that total as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club recently following five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four games take in three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores in the league this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's side need a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from this position, plus a major upturn in results, and the possibility emerges as seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus clubs at the moment in the lower half of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing long balls and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent for his club in a month following a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe triumph in Germany. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
