Premier League: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch may be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea after his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before dinking a delivery to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster netted for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire gossip column treatment due to a reported £65m release clause for a possible winter exit, the media setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable for a winger with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an difficult situation, having undergone a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games in their previous two fixtures following an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however facing a defensive unit lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker an outside shout for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I know what he is able to give me,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional striker role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup provided he can sustain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally than any other English footballer in the Premier League this season having six and will be anxious to add to that count as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club last year following five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' following four fixtures take in three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine scores this season to date. Danger looms for a side that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's team require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from here, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance arises with seven from their upcoming ten league games facing teams currently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue during his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition win abroad. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking on Tuesday might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
