Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new encounter
A Manchester reunion might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former scored for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete gossip column treatment following a reported £65m buyout clause for a prospective January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an awkward situation, having undergone a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one combined in their previous two games following an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit without a shutout since August might be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker an outside choice for the Three Lions
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I understand what he is able to give me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Having won the final 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup if he can maintain his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes than any other English player in the top flight this term on six and will be eager to increase that total as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five tough years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' following four fixtures feature three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes this season this season. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The manager's squad require a sustained recovery to enter the title race from this position, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance arises with seven from their next 10 Premier League matches facing clubs presently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against long balls and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent for his club for a month having sustained a groin problem when making his second start over a short period in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
