Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another clash
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster scored for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
The winger key to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete transfer speculation treatment amid a alleged £65m escape clause for his prospective January departure, the media preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable from a winger with six goals and three setups who is joyous to watch. However, his side occupy an difficult position, having undergone a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate over their last two games following an promising start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa but taking on a backline without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field option for the national team
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he is able to give me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional striker position.” Earning the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes compared to any English player in the top flight this season with six and is eager to increase that total as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who returned to his youth team recently after five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures feature three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes this season this season. Danger looms for a side that have built a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's squad must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from their current spot, as well as a major upturn in results, and the possibility arises as seven out of their following ten Premier League matches versus clubs at the moment in the lower half of the table. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played at club level over four weeks after picking up a groin problem during his second start in quick succession in Europe win in Germany. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A booking on Tuesday would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient