Premier League: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker ready for another clash
Another northwest showdown may be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet in west London after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his skills in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to chipping a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the former scored for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger vital to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill treatment due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for his possible mid-season move, the tabloids positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable from a wide player with six goals plus three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Still, his side are in an tricky position, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined over their past two games after an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet confronting a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game since August could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside option for England
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break even though the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he is able to give me,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox centre-forward position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup if he can maintain his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally over every other English player in England's top division this campaign on six and will be eager to boost that count as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club last year following five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four games take in three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for a team that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's team require a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, plus a major boost in performance, and a chance presents itself with seven from their following ten Premier League matches facing sides presently in the lower half of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display against long balls and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has not played at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe triumph abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
