Premier League: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from the Red Devils and showcased his talents in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
The winger key to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill focus amid a reported £65m buyout clause for a potential winter exit, the media positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. This is predictable for a winger who has six finishes plus three helpers and is joyous to watch. Still, his side are in an tricky position, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined in their past two matches following an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker reaches 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he could offer me,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional striker role.” Having won the last of his 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup if he can sustain his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals over every other English footballer in England's top division this campaign on six and is anxious to increase that total as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team last year after five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a consistent pick, driving down the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. Fulham's next four fixtures take in three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The manager's team need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from this position, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance presents itself with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing teams currently in the bottom half of the table. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing long balls and fast breaks that is in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup in four days in Europe win abroad. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
