Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh clash
A Mancunian rematch may be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his abilities against Wolves before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before lofting a ball to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus HĂžjlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
The winger key to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column focus amid a reported ÂŁ65m escape clause for a possible winter exit, the media preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable from a winger with six finishes plus three helpers and is joyous to watch. However, his team occupy an awkward position, experiencing a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate over their previous two fixtures after an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi MartĂnez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa however taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game for months could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a left-field option for the Three Lions
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. âEven without having met him, I understand what he is able to offer me,â said the England coach. âHe can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox striker role.â Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup if he can continue his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals compared to any English player in the top flight this season with six and is eager to add to that count as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his former side recently following five tough years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. RaĂșl JimĂ©nez, their top scorer in the last term, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four matches include three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals this season to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's side need a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from here, as well as a significant upturn in results, and the possibility arises as seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures versus clubs presently in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and quick transitions that remains in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured for his club in a month after picking up a groin problem when making his second start in quick succession in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient