Premier League: 10 things to watch for this matchday


Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh encounter

A Manchester reunion may be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle in west London following his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former netted for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.

Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)


2. Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's slump

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column focus amid a claimed £65m buyout clause for a prospective winter exit, the media positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. This is predictable from a winger with six goals and three helpers who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an difficult situation, experiencing a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one over two games over their past two fixtures following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but taking on a backline without a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the best tonic.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM


The striker a surprise shout for England

It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he can offer me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional striker role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he is able to continue his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally over every other English performer in the Premier League this term with six and will be anxious to boost that count as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm


Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and finisher

Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last time round. Fulham's following four fixtures include three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for the club that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.

Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM


5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool

The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's squad must have a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from here, as well as a major improvement in form, and a chance emerges as seven out of their following ten league games against teams currently in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus aerial passes and counterattacks that is in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent for his club in a month having sustained a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game might have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient

Phillip Peterson
Phillip Peterson

A gaming technology analyst and writer with over a decade of experience in interactive entertainment and digital innovation.