Premier League: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is adapting well in west London after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former netted for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column treatment amid a claimed ÂŁ65m escape clause for his possible mid-season move, the media positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable from a attacker with six goals and three helpers who is delightful to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an awkward position, having undergone a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined over their previous two games after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi MartĂnez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet since August may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker an outside choice for the national team
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he can give me,” said the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup if he can continue his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes over every other English performer in the top flight this season having six and remains anxious to add to that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club recently following five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four fixtures include three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine scores in the league this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for The striker to perform for the Reds
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's team need a sustained recovery to enter the championship chase from here, as well as a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself as seven out of their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing clubs currently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display against direct play and fast breaks that remains in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent for his club in a month after picking up a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe win in Germany. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
