Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch could be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete gossip column focus amid a alleged £65m buyout clause for a prospective mid-season move, the media preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable for a winger who has six goals plus three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Still, his team occupy an tricky spot, having undergone a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined in their past two fixtures after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit lacking a shutout since August might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field choice for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I know what he could provide,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals than any other English player in England's top division this season having six and remains keen to add to that total when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team recently following five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver in a creative role instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. Fulham's following four fixtures take in three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine scores this season this season. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for The striker to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's team must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from here, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures against teams currently in the lower half of the table. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing direct play and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action in a month following a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition win abroad. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient