Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his talents in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a perfect low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to chipping a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column attention following a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. That is to be expected for a winger with a half-dozen strikes plus three assists who is joyous to watch. However, his side find themselves in an awkward situation, experiencing a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate over their last two games following an strong opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a defence without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field option for the national team
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he could give me,” stated the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional striker position.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup if he can continue his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally than any other English performer in England's top division this campaign having six and is anxious to increase that total when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back needed as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team last year after five tough years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man last season, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches feature three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the league to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's squad need a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from this position, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself with seven out of their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing teams currently in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus direct play and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not featured in domestic action over four weeks having sustained a groin injury when making his second start in quick succession in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match might have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
