Premier division: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh clash
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior celebration 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 during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column focus following a alleged £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable from a wide player who has six goals plus three setups and is delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky spot, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one combined in their last two games following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa yet facing a backline that hasn't kept a shutout since August could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I know what he could give me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional centre-forward role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup if he can continue his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally over every other English player in England's top division this term with six and remains keen to boost that total as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side last year following five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four games include three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes this season so far. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's team must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from this position, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility arises with seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches against teams currently in the lower half of the table. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display against long balls and quick transitions that will be in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin injury while his second start over a short period in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
