Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker set for another clash
A Mancunian rematch could be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea following his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before dinking a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger key to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column treatment due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for a prospective mid-season move, the tabloids positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is understandable for a winger with six finishes plus three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. However, his team find themselves in an awkward situation, having engaged in a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate over their last two fixtures following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but taking on a backline without a shutout since August could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he can provide,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes compared to any English performer in England's top division this term having six and will be anxious to increase that count as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back crucial as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club last year after five challenging years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' following four fixtures include three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes in the league this season. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for The striker to deliver for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's squad require a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from here, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance presents itself with seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures versus teams currently in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that will be in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent at club level in a month after picking up a groin injury during his second start over a short period in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match would have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
