Premier League: 10 things to look out for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another battle
Another northwest showdown might be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle in west London following his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his abilities against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a perfect low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to chipping a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the youngster netted for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column treatment amid a claimed £65m buyout clause for his potential January departure, the tabloids setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a winger with six finishes plus three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his team are in an awkward position, having undergone a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate over their last two fixtures after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however facing a backline lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for England
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break even though the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Without even knowing him, I know what he is able to give me,” said the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox No 9 role.” Earning the final 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup provided he can continue his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this term on six and remains eager to boost that total as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back required as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club last year following five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up as a creator in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four fixtures feature three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine strikes in the league this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's side must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a major upturn in results, and the possibility emerges as seven from their following ten league games versus sides currently in the bottom half of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus direct play and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured for his club for a month following a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe triumph in Germany. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
