Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new clash
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster scored for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger key to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column focus amid a alleged £65m escape clause for his potential mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes and three setups who is pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an awkward situation, experiencing a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined over their past two matches after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for England
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I am aware what he can offer me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional No 9 position.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he can sustain his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes compared to any English performer in the top flight this season on six and remains anxious to boost that total as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team last year following five tough years in north London, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer last season, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches take in three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals this season to date. Danger looms for a team that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's side need a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from this position, as well as a major boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing sides currently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing direct play and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured at club level in a month after picking up a groin injury during his second start over a short period in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
