Premier League: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh battle
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle in west London following his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill treatment following a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective mid-season move, the media positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable for a attacker with six finishes plus three assists and remains delightful to watch. However, his side find themselves in an tricky position, experiencing a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one over two games in their last two fixtures after an promising start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however confronting a defence that hasn't kept a shutout for months could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside choice for England
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he can give me,” stated the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox centre-forward role.” Gaining the final 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup if he can continue his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes over every other English performer in the top flight this term on six and remains eager to add to that total as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought some comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team last year after five tough years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' following four fixtures feature three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the league this season. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's side require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from this position, plus a major upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself as seven from their following ten Premier League matches versus teams currently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus long balls and quick transitions that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has not played at club level in a month after picking up a muscle issue while his second start in four days in Europe triumph abroad. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
