Premier League: 10 things to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown might be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the former netted for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger vital to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill focus due to a reported £65m release clause for a prospective winter exit, the media preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected for a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an awkward situation, experiencing a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined over their previous two matches following an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa however facing a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game since August might be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside option for the national team
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I understand what he can offer me,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup provided he is able to continue his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals compared to any English performer in the Premier League this term having six and will be keen to increase that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team last year after five tough years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. Fulham's next four matches include three among the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the league so far. Danger looms for a team that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's side need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from this position, plus a significant boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures facing sides presently in the lower half in the standings. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and counterattacks that remains in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has not played at club level over four weeks after picking up a groin problem while his second start over a short period in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient