Premier League: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another battle
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is adapting well with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his talents against Wolves before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine netted for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to halting Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill focus following a reported £65m release clause for a potential winter exit, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three setups and is pleasurable to watch. However, his team find themselves in an difficult spot, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 over two games over their past two games after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout since August could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he could provide,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 role.” Earning the final 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup assuming he can maintain his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals over every other English footballer in England's top division this campaign with six and will be eager to boost that total as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side recently after five tough years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures take in three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's side need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, plus a major upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures against sides at the moment in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played for his club over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
