Premier League: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh clash
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former found the net for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column treatment amid a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the media preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. That is predictable from a attacker who has six goals and three setups who is joyous to watch. Still, his side occupy an tricky position, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate over their previous two matches after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa but confronting a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game since August might be the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise shout for England
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he is able to offer me,” said the England boss. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional striker role.” Earning the final 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup provided he can maintain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally than any other English player in England's top division this campaign with six and remains eager to boost that count when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club recently after five challenging years in north London, has become a regular starter, operating on the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who provided ten setups last time round. Fulham's next four games feature three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals this season this season. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for The striker to produce for the Reds
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's side must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from here, plus a major improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing teams presently in the bottom ten in the league. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent at club level in a month following a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
