Premier League: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh clash
A Mancunian rematch could be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea following his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former found the net for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill attention amid a alleged £65m buyout clause for a possible mid-season move, the media positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. That is to be expected from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is delightful to watch. Still, his team occupy an difficult position, having undergone a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one over two games over their previous two fixtures after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet confronting a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the national team
It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he can offer me,” said the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox No 9 role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals over every other English player in the top flight this term having six and is keen to boost that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back required as creator and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team last year after five tough years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four games include three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine strikes in the Premier League this season. Danger looms for a side that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad must have a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from here, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance presents itself as seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus teams presently in the lower half in the league. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing long balls and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League victory in Germany. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking on Tuesday might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient