Premier division: 10 things to look out for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new battle
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and showcased his talents against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to dinking a ball toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill attention following a claimed £65m escape clause for a potential January departure, the media setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected for a attacker with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an difficult spot, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games over their previous two fixtures following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but confronting a backline lacking a shutout for months could be the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not being familiar with him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” said the England coach. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional No 9 role.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally over every other English footballer in the Premier League this season on six and remains eager to boost that total as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back crucial as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team last year after five challenging years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man last season, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last time round. Fulham's upcoming four matches take in three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals in the league so far. A threat emerges for a side that have built a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's side need a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from here, along with a significant boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself with seven out of their next 10 league games against sides presently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against direct play and counterattacks that remains in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action over four weeks having sustained a groin injury while his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
