Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker ready for another clash
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and showcased his abilities against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to dinking a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine netted for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger vital to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation attention due to a alleged £65m release clause for a possible January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes and three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Still, his side are in an tricky spot, experiencing a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games in their previous two games after an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season may prove the best tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for England
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he could offer me,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional striker role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup provided he is able to continue his scoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals than any other English player in the top flight this campaign having six and will be eager to add to that tally when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side recently after five tough years at Tottenham, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer last season, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four fixtures take in three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals in the league this season. A threat emerges for the club that have built a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's side require a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from here, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance emerges as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures facing teams currently in the lower half in the league. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and fast breaks that remains in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played at club level for a month after picking up a muscle issue while his second start in quick succession in Europe win abroad. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
