Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion could be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle in west London following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and showcased his talents against Wolves before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster scored for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire transfer speculation attention due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for his prospective winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side are in an awkward position, experiencing a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate over their previous two games after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa however taking on a backline without a goalless game since August may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field option for England
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I know what he is able to provide,” said the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional No 9 position.” Having won the final 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes compared to any English performer in the Premier League this season on six and will be eager to add to that tally when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side last year after five challenging years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches include three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes this season this season. Danger looms for a side that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side require a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from this position, along with a major improvement in form, and opportunity arises with seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders last season, however it's not just Liverpool's performance against long balls and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played at club level over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue while his second start over a short period in Europe victory abroad. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
