Premier League: 10 things to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new encounter
A Mancunian rematch could be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before chipping a ball toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill attention due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for his possible January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable for a wide player who has six goals plus three helpers and remains joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an tricky position, having undergone a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate in their past two matches after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a backline that hasn't kept a shutout since August may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he could provide,” stated the England coach. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox No 9 role.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup provided he manages to continue his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally than any other English player in the top flight this term with six and is eager to add to that count as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club last year after five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four matches include three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's squad must have a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from this position, plus a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility emerges as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures versus sides presently in the bottom half in the standings. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance versus long balls and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent at club level for a month after picking up a groin problem while his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match could have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient