Premier League: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another battle
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a cross toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of how quickly things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the former netted for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger key to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation attention amid a reported £65m release clause for a possible mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. That is to be expected from a wide player who has six finishes and three setups and remains delightful to watch. However, his team occupy an tricky spot, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined in their last two games after an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I know what he could give me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional striker position.” Having won the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes compared to any English player in the Premier League this term with six and remains keen to add to that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five difficult years at Tottenham, is now a consistent pick, operating on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups last time round. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's side require a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from here, plus a significant improvement in form, and the possibility emerges with seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures against clubs at the moment in the lower half of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display against direct play and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured for his club for a month following a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition win abroad. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday would have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
