Premier League: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a flawless grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to chipping a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster netted for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column attention due to a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the gossip columns preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. This is predictable from a wide player who has six finishes plus three setups who is delightful to watch. However, his side occupy an difficult position, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games over their previous two games after an strong start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa however taking on a defensive unit without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for the national team
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he can provide,” commented the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Gaining the final 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup if he manages to maintain his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally over every other English footballer in the Premier League this term with six and is keen to boost that count as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his former side recently following five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. Fulham's next four fixtures take in three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the league to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for The striker to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's squad need a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from here, plus a significant boost in performance, and the possibility arises with seven out of their following ten Premier League matches against teams at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin problem while his second start over a short period in the Champions League triumph abroad. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
