Premier division: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea after his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of how quickly things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation treatment following a claimed £65m release clause for a prospective winter exit, the media preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers who is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an awkward position, experiencing a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven-one combined over their last two matches following an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa however facing a backline that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker an outside option for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he can provide,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional striker position.” Having won the last of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup provided he can maintain his scoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes compared to any English footballer in the top flight this campaign with six and is keen to increase that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team recently following five difficult years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four games include three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals this season to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's side need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from here, along with a major improvement in form, and the possibility arises as seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures against sides at the moment in the lower half in the league. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display against aerial passes and counterattacks that is in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue during his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match would have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
