Premier division: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle in west London after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill focus due to a reported £65m buyout clause for his prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable for a wide player who has six goals plus three helpers and remains delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an awkward position, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate in their past two games following an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defence that hasn't kept a shutout for months might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup if he can sustain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally than any other English player in the top flight this term with six and will be keen to boost that count when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team last year after five difficult years in north London, has become a regular starter, operating on the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four fixtures feature three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's team must have a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from this position, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility emerges with seven of their following ten league games versus clubs presently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance against direct play and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played at club level for a month after picking up a groin injury during his second consecutive start in four days in Europe win abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday could have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
