Premier League: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is finding his feet in west London after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his abilities against Wolves before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to chipping a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger crucial to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete gossip column focus following a alleged £65m escape clause for a possible January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable from a attacker who has six finishes plus three assists and remains pleasurable to watch. However, his team find themselves in an awkward position, experiencing a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined over their past two fixtures following an strong opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa however taking on a defence lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside option for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he can offer me,” said the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he can sustain his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes over every other English player in the top flight this term having six and is eager to boost that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club last year after five tough years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man last season, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' next four matches feature three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for the club that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side require a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from here, along with a significant boost in performance, and the possibility emerges with seven of their following ten Premier League matches against clubs presently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing long balls and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action for a month having sustained a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game against Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
