Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion could be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet in west London following his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his talents in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a perfect grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former netted for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill focus amid a reported £65m release clause for a potential mid-season move, the media preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected from a wide player who has six finishes plus three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. However, his side find themselves in an awkward position, experiencing a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games in their last two games following an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a backline that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a left-field choice for England
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he is able to give me,” stated the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional No 9 role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup if he can continue his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has additional strikes than any other English footballer in the Premier League this term with six and is anxious to increase that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club last year after five tough years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four games include three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals in the league this season. Danger looms for a team that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's side require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from this position, along with a significant improvement in form, and a chance emerges with seven from their next 10 league games against teams currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus long balls and quick transitions that is in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action in a month following a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
