Premier League: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new clash
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and displayed his skills in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a delivery toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire gossip column attention following a claimed £65m escape clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable from a wide player with six goals and three helpers and remains delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an awkward spot, having engaged in a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate over their last two games after an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet facing a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game for months may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field choice for the national team
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I understand what he can give me,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional striker role.” Having won the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his goal-getting exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally compared to any English player in England's top division this campaign having six and will be anxious to boost that count as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided some positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' next four matches take in three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a team that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's side require a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from this position, as well as a significant improvement in form, and a chance presents itself as seven of their upcoming ten league games against teams at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat on the champions in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing direct play and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent in domestic action in a month having sustained a groin problem during his second start over a short period in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
