Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea following his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to lofting a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column focus amid a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable for a winger who has six finishes and three assists who is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an difficult situation, having engaged in a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games in their last two fixtures following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field option for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Despite not knowing him, I know what he could provide,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox No 9 position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes than any other English footballer in the top flight this term with six and is keen to boost that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought some positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team last year after five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he's also their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last time round. Fulham's following four fixtures take in three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes this season so far. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's team require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility arises with seven out of their following ten league games facing clubs presently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus long balls and quick transitions that will be in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured for his club for a month after picking up a groin problem when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench during 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 caution in that match would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
