Premier division: 10 things to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new encounter
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to dinking a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill treatment amid a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an tricky position, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games in their last two matches after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field option for the national team
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he can provide,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional striker position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup if he can continue his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals compared to any English performer in the Premier League this term with six and remains anxious to add to that total as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club last year following five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, operating on the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. Fulham's next four games feature three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes in the league this season. Danger looms for a team that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's side require a prolonged upturn to enter the league contest from here, as well as a major boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself with seven out of their upcoming ten league games versus teams currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus long balls and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played at club level over four weeks following a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
