Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion may be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities against Wolves before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a perfect grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column attention following a alleged ÂŁ65m release clause for his possible mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable for a wide player who has six goals plus three setups and is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an difficult situation, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined in their past two fixtures after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi MartĂnez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game since August might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker a left-field option for the national team
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I understand what he can offer me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional No 9 position.” Having won the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup provided he can sustain his scoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals compared to any English performer in the top flight this term on six and remains anxious to add to that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club last year following five difficult years in north London, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four matches take in three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the league so far. Danger looms for a team that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's side require a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from this position, as well as a significant boost in performance, and a chance emerges with seven from their upcoming ten league games against teams presently in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus direct play and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The ÂŁ125m striker has not played for his club in a month after picking up a muscle issue when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe win in Germany. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient