Premier division: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new battle
A Manchester reunion may be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet in west London following his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his skills in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine scored for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete transfer speculation focus due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable from a attacker with six finishes and three helpers and is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an difficult situation, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven to one combined over their past two matches after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he can give me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the final 42 England games several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup if he is able to continue his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally over every other English performer in the Premier League this season having six and remains keen to add to that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side last year after five difficult years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' following four games include three among the top five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a side that have built a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's squad must have a sustained recovery to enter the title race from their current spot, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity arises as seven out of their following ten Premier League matches versus teams presently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that is in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient