Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well in west London after his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to dinking a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the youngster found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill treatment amid a claimed £65m escape clause for his prospective January departure, the media setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable for a winger with six finishes plus three assists and is joyous to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an tricky spot, experiencing a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one over two games in their last two fixtures following an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet facing a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I understand what he could offer me,” stated the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional striker role.” Earning the final 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup if he manages to maintain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this campaign with six and will be keen to increase that count when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back required as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club last year following five tough years in north London, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four fixtures take in three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes this season this season. Danger looms for the club that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's side must have a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from here, as well as a major boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself with seven from their upcoming ten league games versus clubs at the moment in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing direct play and quick transitions that will be in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action in a month after picking up a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient