Premier division: 10 things to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another battle
A Mancunian rematch could be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his skills against Wolves before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger key to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation focus following a reported £65m escape clause for his potential mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable from a attacker who has six goals plus three setups and remains delightful to watch. Still, his side occupy an awkward spot, having undergone a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games over their previous two matches following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet confronting a defence lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the best tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker an outside option for England
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not being familiar with him, I am aware what he could give me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional striker role.” Having won the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his scoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has additional strikes over every other English player in the Premier League this campaign on six and will be eager to boost that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided some comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five tough years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' next four matches take in three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's side need a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from this position, as well as a significant upturn in results, and the possibility arises as seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing sides currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display against direct play and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has not played at club level for a month after picking up a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
