Premier division: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another encounter
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his talents against Wolves before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before dinking a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column focus due to a reported £65m escape clause for a prospective mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a winger who has six goals and three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an awkward situation, experiencing a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate in their previous two fixtures after an promising start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but facing a defence that hasn't kept a shutout since August could be the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker reaches 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” stated the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional No 9 role.” Earning the final 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes over every other English player in the top flight this season with six and is anxious to increase that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team recently after five challenging years in north London, has become a regular starter, 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. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. Fulham's next four matches include three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the league this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for The striker to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The manager's team must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from here, as well as a major upturn in results, and opportunity arises with seven out of their next 10 league games against clubs at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus long balls and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has not played for his club for a month following a groin problem when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League victory in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
