Premier League: 10 things to look out for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh clash
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well in west London following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to dinking a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire gossip column treatment due to a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. That is predictable from a wide player with six goals and three assists who is delightful to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an awkward position, having undergone a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 over two games in their last two matches after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa but facing a backline that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the Three Lions
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he can give me,” commented the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional centre-forward role.” Earning the last of his 42 England games several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he can maintain his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals compared to any English performer in the Premier League this campaign on six and is eager to add to that count as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon required as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side recently after five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four matches feature three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's squad need a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from this position, along with a major upturn in results, and a chance presents itself as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures facing teams currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against aerial passes and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action for a month following a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League victory abroad. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
