Premier division: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his talents against Wolves before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill focus due to a claimed £65m escape clause for his prospective mid-season move, the tabloids setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. That is to be expected from a attacker who has six goals plus three assists and remains delightful to watch. However, his team find themselves in an awkward position, having engaged in a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined over their last two games after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa but taking on a defence without a shutout for months may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window even though the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox striker position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup provided he manages to continue his goal-getting exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals compared to any English footballer in the top flight this term with six and is keen to increase that total when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back needed as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team recently following five challenging years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left side with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four games feature three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine scores this season this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's squad must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from their current spot, as well as a significant upturn in results, and opportunity emerges with seven out of their following ten league games facing sides at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance versus direct play and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played for his club in a month following a groin problem while his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League victory abroad. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match might have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
