Premier division: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another clash
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle in west London after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation treatment following a reported £65m escape clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable from a winger who has six goals and three setups and remains delightful to watch. Still, his side are in an awkward position, experiencing a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one combined in their previous two matches following an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa however confronting a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a left-field option for England
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he is able to offer me,” commented the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional centre-forward position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals than any other English footballer in England's top division this term on six and will be keen to add to that total when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club last year following five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four matches include three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores this season so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for The striker to deliver for the Reds
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's squad must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from here, as well as a major upturn in results, and a chance arises as seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus clubs presently in the lower half of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin problem when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League win abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
