Premier division: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea following his summer move from the Red Devils and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine scored for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill focus following a reported ÂŁ65m buyout clause for his possible winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected from a wide player who has six finishes and three setups and remains joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an tricky position, having undergone a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one over two games over their last two games following an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi MartĂnez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet for months might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he can offer me,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional centre-forward role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals than any other English footballer in the Premier League this term with six and will be keen to increase that tally when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back required as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team recently after five tough years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. The Cottagers' next four fixtures include three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores this season to date. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's side require a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from here, as well as a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance arises as seven of their next 10 Premier League matches facing clubs currently in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured for his club in a month following a groin injury when making his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient