Premier League: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another battle
Another northwest showdown might be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former scored for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation attention due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for a prospective January departure, the media positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes and three setups and remains delightful to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an awkward position, having undergone a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games over their previous two fixtures following an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa but confronting a backline that hasn't kept a shutout for months may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker an outside shout for the national team
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window although the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he is able to provide,” said the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional centre-forward role.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup if he is able to continue his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals compared to any English performer in the Premier League this term with six and remains eager to boost that count when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back crucial as creator and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club last year after five difficult years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' following four matches take in three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to produce for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad require a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from here, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself with seven from their following ten league games versus teams at the moment in the lower half in the league. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and counterattacks that remains in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not featured at club level in a month having sustained a groin problem while his second start in quick succession in the Champions League victory in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient