Premier League: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another clash
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle in west London following his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster scored for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column attention due to a reported £65m release clause for a prospective January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is understandable for a wide player with six finishes and three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. However, his team are in an awkward spot, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven-one combined over their previous two games after an promising start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa but confronting a backline lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for the national team
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I am aware what he is able to offer me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox No 9 role.” Earning the final 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goal-getting performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals compared to any English footballer in England's top division this campaign having six and will be anxious to add to that tally when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side last year following five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four games feature three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores this season to date. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's team require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from this position, along with a significant improvement in form, and a chance arises as seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus long balls and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action in a month after picking up a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition win in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match could have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
