Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker set for another battle
A Manchester reunion could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well in west London after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a perfect low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine netted for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill attention amid a reported £65m release clause for a potential winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable from a winger who has six goals and three helpers and remains delightful to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an difficult position, having undergone a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games in their last two matches after an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence without a goalless game since August may prove the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker an outside choice for England
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he could provide,” said the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox striker position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup if he is able to continue his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals than any other English footballer in the Premier League this campaign with six and is keen to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who returned to his youth team last year after five difficult years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their leading marksman in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four games include three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores this season so far. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's side require a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from here, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility emerges with seven out of their following ten league games versus clubs presently in the lower half in the league. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured at club level for a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
