Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his abilities against Wolves prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster scored for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill treatment following a claimed ÂŁ65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the media setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists who is joyous to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an tricky situation, experiencing a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games over their last two games following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi MartĂnez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however facing a defence without a goalless game for months might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker an outside option for England
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he can provide,” stated the England coach. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional No 9 role.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup provided he can continue his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals over every other English performer in England's top division this term having six and will be anxious to increase that count as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back crucial as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team last year after five difficult years at Tottenham, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups last season. The Cottagers' next four matches take in three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals this season to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for The striker to perform for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's team need a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from here, plus a major boost in performance, and a chance presents itself with seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus teams at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and fast breaks that remains in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent for his club for a month after picking up a groin injury during his second start in four days in the Champions League win abroad. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
