Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new battle
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well in west London following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his talents in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to dinking a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine netted for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column treatment amid a reported ÂŁ65m escape clause for his potential mid-season move, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable for a attacker with six finishes and three setups who is delightful to watch. However, his team occupy an awkward situation, having engaged in a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate in their past two matches following an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi MartĂnez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet since August might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise option for the national team
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton striker reaches 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he could give me,” said the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional centre-forward position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup assuming he can continue his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals over every other English footballer in England's top division this term having six and is keen to increase that total when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club recently following five tough years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's next four matches take in three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for the club that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's team require a consistent improvement to enter the title race from their current spot, as well as a major improvement in form, and the possibility emerges as seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures against teams at the moment in the lower half in the league. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against direct play and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The ÂŁ125m striker has been absent for his club over four weeks following a groin injury during his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe victory in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but was rested the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
