Premier League: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his skills in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to chipping a delivery toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the former found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column attention due to a reported £65m escape clause for a prospective mid-season move, the media setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is predictable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers who is joyous to watch. However, his team are in an difficult situation, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate over their past two fixtures following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit without a clean sheet for months might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker an outside option for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window although the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he can offer me,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional No 9 role.” Having won the final 42 caps several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he can sustain his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals compared to any English footballer in England's top division this term on six and will be eager to add to that total when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided some positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club recently after five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, driving down the left in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. Fulham's next four fixtures include three among the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes this season so far. Danger looms for a team that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad need a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from their current spot, plus a significant improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself with seven from their following ten Premier League matches versus clubs currently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and quick transitions that will be under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured at club level over four weeks after picking up a groin problem during his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe triumph in Germany. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
