Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another battle
A Mancunian rematch may be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his talents against Wolves before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a perfect low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to dinking a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill attention following a alleged £65m release clause for a prospective mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected for a attacker who has six goals plus three helpers and is joyous to watch. Still, his team occupy an difficult spot, having undergone a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined in their past two games after an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he is able to offer me,” said the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional striker role.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he can maintain his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals compared to any English player in England's top division this season on six and is keen to increase that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five tough years in north London, has become a regular starter, operating on the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures include three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's squad need a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, along with a major boost in performance, and opportunity arises as seven of their following ten league games versus teams at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus direct play and counterattacks that will be in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent for his club for a month after picking up a muscle issue when making his second start in four days in Europe triumph abroad. Isak returned off the bench during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
