Premier division: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker set for another clash
Another northwest showdown might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before chipping a ball toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the speed at which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column treatment amid a reported £65m escape clause for his possible mid-season move, the media preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. This is to be expected for a wide player with six goals plus three setups and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side are in an awkward situation, having undergone a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate over their past two fixtures after an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside option for England
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break even though the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I am aware what he can provide,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox No 9 position.” Earning the final 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes over every other English performer in the Premier League this campaign having six and will be keen to increase that total as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club recently following five tough years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. The Cottagers' next four games take in three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine scores in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for a side that have built a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's team must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from this position, plus a significant improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself as seven of their next 10 Premier League matches against clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against aerial passes and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent for his club over four weeks following a muscle issue while his second start over a short period in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but was rested the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match would have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
