Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new battle
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a delivery to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
The winger key to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation treatment following a claimed £65m buyout clause for his possible mid-season move, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable from a attacker who has six goals and three setups and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an awkward spot, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games in their previous two fixtures following an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside option for England
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I understand what he could give me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional striker role.” Earning the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes than any other English footballer in the top flight this season on six and remains keen to add to that tally when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his former side last year following five challenging years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. Fulham's upcoming four games take in three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine scores this season this season. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's squad need a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from here, as well as a dramatic upturn in results, and opportunity emerges with seven from their following ten league games facing teams at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against aerial passes and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not featured at club level for a month having sustained a groin injury while his second start in quick succession in continental competition victory in Germany. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
