Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho set for a new battle
Another northwest showdown might be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and showcased his skills in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the youngster scored for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation focus amid a reported £65m release clause for his potential mid-season move, the media preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable from a attacker who has six finishes plus three assists and is delightful to watch. Still, his team are in an difficult situation, having undergone a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined over their past two fixtures following an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a backline lacking a goalless game since August could be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for England
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he can give me,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional No 9 position.” Gaining the final 42 England games several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes compared to any English player in the top flight this term having six and will be keen to increase that total when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back required as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his former side recently after five tough years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, driving down the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four games include three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores this season to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for The striker to perform for the Merseyside club
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's team require a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from here, plus a major improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself with seven of their following ten Premier League matches facing clubs currently in the lower half of the table. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing long balls and counterattacks that is in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has not played for his club in a month after picking up a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe victory in Germany. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
