Premier division: 10 things to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a perfect low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to chipping a ball toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former netted for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation focus due to a claimed ÂŁ65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a winger with six goals and three setups and remains delightful to watch. Still, his team occupy an tricky position, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 over two games in their past two fixtures following an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi MartĂnez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a left-field option for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he can give me,” stated the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox No 9 role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goal-getting exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes compared to any English player in England's top division this campaign with six and is anxious to increase that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back required as creator and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided some comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his former side last year following five difficult years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four matches include three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals this season this season. Danger looms for the club that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's squad require a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from here, plus a significant improvement in form, and opportunity emerges as seven of their upcoming ten league games versus sides currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against direct play and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The ÂŁ125m striker has been absent in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin injury while his second start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game could have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
