Premier division: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new clash
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before chipping a ball toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the former scored for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column treatment following a reported £65m release clause for a potential mid-season move, the tabloids setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three assists who is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an difficult situation, having engaged in a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate in their past two matches after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit without a goalless game since August could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for the Three Lions
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional striker position.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup provided he can continue his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes compared to any English performer in the Premier League this term having six and will be keen to increase that count when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team last year after five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four matches feature three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes this season so far. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's squad need a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from here, along with a significant upturn in results, and a chance arises as seven of their upcoming ten league games against clubs at the moment in the lower half in the league. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus long balls and counterattacks that will be in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent for his club over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue during his second start in quick succession in continental competition win abroad. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match could have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
