Premier division: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another battle
A Manchester reunion could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea following his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before chipping a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation focus due to a claimed £65m escape clause for his potential mid-season move, the media preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and is joyous to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an difficult situation, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined over their previous two matches following an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however confronting a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August may prove the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for the national team
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he could provide,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox striker role.” Having won the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup if he can sustain his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally than any other English footballer in the top flight this season on six and will be anxious to increase that total as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team last year after five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four fixtures take in three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for The striker to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The manager's squad must have a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from their current spot, along with a significant improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself with seven out of their following ten league games facing sides at the moment in the lower half of the table. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that will be in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played for his club in a month having sustained a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
