Premier League: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle in west London after his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before dinking a ball toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column attention due to a claimed £65m release clause for his prospective winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and is delightful to watch. However, his team are in an difficult situation, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 over two games over their past two fixtures following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa yet confronting a defensive unit without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for the Three Lions
It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he can offer me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox striker position.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals over every other English footballer in the Premier League this season on six and will be anxious to add to that count as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team last year following five tough years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four fixtures include three among the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores in the league so far. A threat emerges for the club that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's team must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from their current spot, plus a major upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself as seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures against teams presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against direct play and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action over four weeks following a groin problem when making his second start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph abroad. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
