Premier League: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a ideal grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a ball toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
The winger key to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill focus following a reported £65m buyout clause for a potential January departure, the tabloids setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. This is predictable for a wide player who has six goals and three helpers and remains joyous to watch. Still, his team are in an difficult situation, experiencing a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one combined over their previous two matches following an promising start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa however confronting a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field option for the national team
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I know what he is able to give me,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox striker position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup if he can maintain his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally compared to any English performer in the top flight this season having six and remains keen to increase that total as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back needed as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side recently after five tough years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures take in three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals this season this season. Danger looms for the club that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from this position, plus a significant improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten league games facing sides currently in the lower half of the table. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that will be in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent at club level in a month having sustained a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient