Premier League: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch could be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and showcased his talents against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a ideal grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to chipping a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the speed at which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation treatment due to a claimed £65m escape clause for a potential winter exit, the media setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. That is to be expected for a wide player with six goals plus three helpers who is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an awkward situation, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate over their last two matches following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet confronting a backline lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” commented the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional No 9 position.” Having won the final 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he can continue his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally than any other English player in England's top division this term on six and is eager to boost that total as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team last year after five tough years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, driving down the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures feature three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals in the league this season. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's squad require a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, along with a major boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself as seven of their upcoming ten league games versus clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that is in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not played at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in Europe win abroad. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
