Premier division: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh battle
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before dinking a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former scored for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger crucial to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation attention due to a claimed £65m release clause for a prospective January departure, the media preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable from a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and remains joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his team find themselves in an difficult spot, having engaged in a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 over two games over their previous two games after an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit without a shutout for months might be the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a surprise option for the national team
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he is able to give me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional No 9 position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally over every other English performer in the Premier League this term having six and remains anxious to boost that count when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back needed as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided some comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club recently after five challenging years in north London, has become a regular starter, operating on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four fixtures feature three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's team require a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from their current spot, along with a major improvement in form, and a chance presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten league games against teams currently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus long balls and quick transitions that remains under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent at club level in a month having sustained a groin problem when making his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe victory abroad. Isak returned as a substitute in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
