Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho set for a new battle
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well in west London following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his abilities against Wolves before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to chipping a ball to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? During the former found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete transfer speculation attention amid a reported £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. This is to be expected from a wide player with six goals and three setups and is delightful to watch. Still, his side occupy an awkward situation, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate over their past two fixtures after an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game since August could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside option for the national team
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he could provide,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally over every other English performer in England's top division this campaign having six and is keen to boost that total as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back needed as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team recently following five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, operating on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four matches feature three among the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals this season this season. Danger looms for a side that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's team require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from this position, as well as a significant upturn in results, and a chance arises with seven from their next 10 league games against clubs at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing against direct play and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent for his club in a month following a muscle issue while his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
