Premier League: 10 things to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before lofting a cross toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation treatment due to a reported £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the media setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable for a attacker with six goals plus three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. However, his side find themselves in an tricky situation, experiencing a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined over their past two games after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a backline lacking a goalless game for months may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he can provide,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional centre-forward role.” Earning the final 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup if he manages to maintain his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals compared to any English performer in the top flight this campaign having six and remains eager to boost that count as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back crucial as creator and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side last year after five challenging years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, operating on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals in the league to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's team require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from their current spot, as well as a major boost in performance, and a chance emerges with seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against clubs presently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against direct play and counterattacks that will be in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent in domestic action in a month following a muscle issue while his second start over a short period in the Champions League victory abroad. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
