Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker set for a new battle
Another northwest showdown could be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea after his summer move from the Red Devils and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to dinking a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? During the former found the net for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill treatment due to a reported £65m buyout clause for a potential January departure, the media preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. This is to be expected for a attacker with six finishes plus three setups who is pleasurable to watch. However, his team are in an difficult spot, experiencing a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate in their last two games following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout since August might be the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the national team
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I know what he is able to give me,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional striker role.” Earning the last of his 42 caps several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup provided he can continue his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals than any other English player in the top flight this term on six and is anxious to add to that total when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team recently after five challenging years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' next four fixtures take in three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes this season so far. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The manager's side need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from here, along with a significant boost in performance, and the possibility emerges with seven from their following ten Premier League matches facing clubs currently in the lower half of the table. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display against aerial passes and quick transitions that remains under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not featured for his club for a month after picking up a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League victory abroad. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
