Premier division: 10 things to look out for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another encounter
A Mancunian rematch could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the Argentine netted for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete transfer speculation focus following a reported £65m buyout clause for a prospective January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable from a winger with six finishes and three assists who is joyous to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an tricky situation, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined in their past two matches after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet facing a backline lacking a shutout for months might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for England
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he could give me,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional No 9 position.” Earning the final 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup if he is able to continue his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals compared to any English performer in the Premier League this campaign having six and remains keen to increase that count as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team last year following five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. Fulham's next four fixtures include three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes this season so far. A threat emerges for the club that have built a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for The striker to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's team require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from here, as well as a dramatic upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing sides presently in the lower half in the standings. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that is in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not played at club level over four weeks after picking up a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition victory in Germany. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
