Premier division: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new battle
A Mancunian rematch may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well in west London following his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a perfect grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the pace with which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column focus due to a reported £65m escape clause for his potential mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists and remains delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an difficult situation, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined over their last two games following an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but facing a defence lacking a shutout for months could be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a surprise option for the national team
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break although the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he could provide,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes compared to any English footballer in England's top division this campaign with six and remains anxious to boost that total when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has brought some comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side last year after five difficult years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures feature three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores in the league to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's squad need a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from here, as well as a major upturn in results, and opportunity emerges with seven of their following ten Premier League matches facing clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus long balls and counterattacks that remains in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent for his club in a month having sustained a groin injury while his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match would have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
