Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new battle
Another northwest showdown could be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and showcased his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster scored for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column attention amid a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the media positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable for a wide player who has six goals and three helpers and is joyous to watch. However, his side find themselves in an tricky spot, having undergone a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven-one combined over their last two games following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but taking on a backline without a goalless game since August may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker a surprise choice for England
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window although the Brighton striker reaches 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” commented the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox centre-forward role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup provided he can continue his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally than any other English performer in the top flight this campaign on six and will be eager to boost that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team recently following five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. Fulham's next four games include three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine scores this season this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's team must have a consistent improvement to enter the title race from here, as well as a major upturn in results, and the possibility emerges with seven of their next 10 Premier League matches versus teams at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action in a month having sustained a groin problem when making his second start in four days in continental competition victory abroad. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
