Premier division: 10 things to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion may be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a delivery toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the former found the net for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column focus following a claimed £65m escape clause for his prospective January departure, the media setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable for a wide player with six finishes and three helpers and remains joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an difficult situation, having undergone a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined in their previous two matches after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa however confronting a defence without a shutout since August could be the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for England
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I know what he could provide,” said the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional No 9 position.” Gaining the final 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can continue his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally than any other English footballer in England's top division this term with six and will be eager to increase that total when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side recently after five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures include three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's squad need a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from here, as well as a significant upturn in results, and a chance emerges as seven of their following ten league games facing clubs at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against direct play and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played at club level for a month after picking up a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition victory in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
