Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well in west London after his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to chipping a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the former found the net for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill focus due to a reported £65m release clause for a potential winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable from a wide player with six goals plus three assists who is joyous to watch. Still, his team occupy an awkward situation, having engaged in a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined in their last two games after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet taking on a defence lacking a shutout for months might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker a surprise option for the national team
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I know what he could provide,” stated the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional centre-forward role.” Having won the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his scoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals than any other English footballer in the top flight this term having six and will be anxious to increase that count when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back crucial as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his former side recently after five tough years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, operating on the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four matches feature three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores in the league this season. Danger looms for the club that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to produce for the Reds
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's squad must have a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from here, along with a major boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself with seven of their next 10 league games versus teams currently in the lower half of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured at club level for a month after picking up a groin problem when making his second start in four days in Europe victory in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
