Premier League: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new clash
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his skills in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill attention following a claimed £65m release clause for his potential January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a attacker who has six finishes plus three helpers and remains joyous to watch. However, his team occupy an tricky spot, having undergone a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined over their last two fixtures following an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa but confronting a backline lacking a shutout since August might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field option for the national team
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I understand what he can provide,” commented the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup if he is able to sustain his scoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals than any other English footballer in the top flight this campaign having six and will be anxious to increase that count as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back crucial as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club last year following five challenging years in north London, is now a regular starter, operating on the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' next four matches feature three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores in the league to date. Danger looms for a team that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to perform for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's side require a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from here, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and opportunity arises as seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches against sides presently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus direct play and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured for his club in a month having sustained a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
