Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown might be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his talents in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before chipping a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster found the net for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column treatment due to a claimed £65m release clause for a possible mid-season move, the tabloids setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected from a attacker with six goals plus three setups who is joyous to watch. However, his team find themselves in an tricky position, having undergone a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one combined in their previous two fixtures after an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game for months may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a left-field choice for the national team
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he can offer me,” stated the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox No 9 role.” Having won the last of his 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his scoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals over every other English player in the top flight this season on six and will be eager to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team last year after five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, operating on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures feature three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals in the league to date. A threat emerges for a side that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for The striker to deliver for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's squad must have a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from here, along with a significant boost in performance, and opportunity arises as seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing long balls and quick transitions that remains in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action for a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition win in Germany. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
