Premier League: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another encounter
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the former netted for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire gossip column attention amid a reported £65m buyout clause for his possible January departure, the tabloids setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable from a attacker who has six finishes plus three setups and remains joyous to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an awkward position, having engaged in a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined in their last two games after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but taking on a backline without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside choice for England
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he could give me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox centre-forward position.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can sustain his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals than any other English footballer in the top flight this campaign on six and will be anxious to add to that tally as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side last year after five tough years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left flank in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' next four fixtures include three among the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the league to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Isak to perform for the Reds
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's team need a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from this position, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility arises as seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus clubs at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action for a month following a groin injury during his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition victory in Germany. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
