Premier division: 10 things to look out for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a perfect low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to dinking a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill treatment due to a reported ÂŁ65m escape clause for his potential winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a attacker with six goals and three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an tricky position, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate in their past two games following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi MartĂnez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a left-field option for England
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window although the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even 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 traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes than any other English footballer in the top flight this campaign having six and is eager to increase that total as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club recently after five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a consistent pick, driving down the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. Fulham's upcoming four games include three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals this season to date. A threat emerges for a team that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to produce for the Reds
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's squad require a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from here, as well as a significant upturn in results, and a chance arises as seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus clubs at the moment in the lower half in the league. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The ÂŁ125m striker has not played for his club over four weeks following a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League win in Germany. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
