Premier League: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and showcased his skills in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a flawless grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before lofting a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the former scored for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column treatment amid a reported £65m escape clause for his potential mid-season move, the tabloids setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected from a winger who has six finishes and three helpers who is delightful to watch. Still, his side are in an difficult spot, experiencing a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate in their last two fixtures after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a backline lacking a clean sheet since August could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field option for the Three Lions
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause although the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he is able to give me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 position.” Earning the final 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally over every other English player in the top flight this term on six and is keen to increase that count when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five tough years in north London, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four games take in three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes this season this season. Danger looms for a team that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for The striker to produce for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's squad require a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from this position, along with a major improvement in form, and the possibility arises as seven out of their upcoming ten league games against clubs presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played for his club for a month after picking up a muscle issue during his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient