Premier League: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho set for a new battle
Another northwest showdown might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine netted for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill focus following a reported £65m buyout clause for his prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and remains delightful to watch. Still, his team are in an tricky situation, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten 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 the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a defence that hasn't kept a shutout for months might be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a surprise option for England
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window even though the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox centre-forward position.” Earning the last of his 42 caps several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals than any other English player in the top flight this season on six and will be keen to increase that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side last year following five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, operating on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker last season, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four fixtures include three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine scores this season this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for The striker to deliver for the Reds
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's team need a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from here, plus a significant upturn in results, and a chance presents itself as seven from their next 10 Premier League matches versus teams at the moment in the lower half of the table. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured in domestic action for a month having sustained a groin problem when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League triumph in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
