Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch could be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle in west London following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a perfect low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to chipping a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? During the Argentine scored for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column focus following a claimed £65m escape clause for his possible January departure, the media positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an tricky situation, having engaged in a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one over two games in their previous two matches following an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa but confronting a defence lacking a shutout since August might be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside option for the Three Lions
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break although the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I am aware what he could offer me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals than any other English performer in the Premier League this season on six and will be keen to add to that tally as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five challenging years with Spurs, is now a regular starter, operating on the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. Fulham's following four games feature three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a side that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for The striker to produce for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's side need a consistent improvement to enter the championship chase from this position, along with a major boost in performance, and opportunity arises as seven from their next 10 Premier League matches versus clubs currently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent at club level in a month after picking up a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
