Premier division: 10 things to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another battle
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and displayed his skills in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to lofting a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill attention following a alleged £65m buyout clause for his possible mid-season move, the media positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable for a wide player who has six goals plus three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an tricky situation, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate in their previous two matches following an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa but taking on a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game since August might be the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he could give me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup if he can maintain his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals over every other English player in the top flight this campaign on six and will be keen to add to that count as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side last year after five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' following four games feature three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the Premier League so far. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for The striker to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's team need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from here, plus a major upturn in results, and a chance presents itself as seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus long balls and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played at club level for a month following a muscle issue when making his second start in four days in continental competition triumph abroad. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but missed the subsequent inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
