Premier League: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another battle
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a flawless grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster found the net for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger key to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill focus amid a alleged £65m escape clause for his potential winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected for a wide player who has six finishes and three helpers and remains joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an difficult spot, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined in their last two matches after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa however facing a defence without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I am aware what he could give me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox striker position.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup if he can continue his goal-getting performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals compared to any English player in England's top division this campaign with six and remains keen to increase that total when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back crucial as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club last year after five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer 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 injured until 2026 owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's following four games take in three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's squad need a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from this position, as well as a major boost in performance, and opportunity emerges as seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against clubs currently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured for his club over four weeks following a groin problem during his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
