Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new battle
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before chipping a cross toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former scored for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation attention amid a reported £65m escape clause for a possible January departure, the tabloids positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected for a attacker with six goals plus three helpers who is delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth are in an awkward situation, having undergone a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate in their previous two games after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but confronting a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I know what he could offer me,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox centre-forward role.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals over every other English player in the Premier League this campaign on six and will be anxious to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back crucial as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side recently following five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he's also their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists last time round. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures feature three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine scores in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's squad must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the title race from their current spot, as well as a significant boost in performance, and a chance emerges with seven out of their following ten Premier League matches facing clubs currently in the lower half in the standings. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus direct play and quick transitions that remains under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has not played for his club for a month following a groin problem while his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition victory abroad. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
