Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh battle
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his talents against Wolves before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a flawless grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column treatment amid a alleged £65m release clause for a prospective mid-season move, the media preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable from a winger with six goals and three assists and is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an awkward situation, experiencing a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined in their past two games following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa however confronting a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game since August could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside shout for the national team
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I understand what he can give me,” stated the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional centre-forward position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup if he can maintain his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has additional strikes over every other English performer in England's top division this season having six and remains anxious to add to that count when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided some positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team recently after five tough years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer last season, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four games include three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals in the Premier League this season. Danger looms for a team that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's squad need a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from their current spot, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility emerges with seven of their following ten Premier League matches against teams currently in the lower half in the league. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action in a month following a muscle issue during his second start in quick succession in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
