Premier League: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well with Chelsea after his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before chipping a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire gossip column focus due to a reported £65m release clause for a prospective mid-season move, the media positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is joyous to watch. However, his side find themselves in an difficult position, having undergone a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 over two games in their last two games following an strong start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however confronting a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break even though the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I understand what he can give me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Gaining the final 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup if he is able to sustain his scoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally over every other English player in the Premier League this term having six and will be anxious to boost that count when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club last year after five challenging years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four matches take in three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's team require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the title race from here, along with a significant improvement in form, and a chance presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches against clubs presently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus long balls and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not played for his club for a month following a muscle issue when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition win in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
