Premier division: 10 things to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh clash
A Mancunian rematch could be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea after his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his talents against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before chipping a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? During the former netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill treatment due to a alleged £65m release clause for a potential winter exit, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. That is predictable from a attacker with six finishes and three setups and remains delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an awkward position, having engaged in a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate over their previous two fixtures after an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa but taking on a backline lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he could offer me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional striker role.” Having won the final 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes than any other English footballer in the top flight this season with six and will be anxious to boost that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five tough years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' following four matches feature three among the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals this season this season. Danger looms for the club that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's squad require a prolonged upturn to enter the league contest from their current spot, plus a major improvement in form, and the possibility arises with seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing teams currently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat to the title holders last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not featured for his club over four weeks following a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition triumph abroad. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
