Premier League: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another battle
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his abilities against Wolves prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before dinking a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete transfer speculation treatment following a alleged £65m buyout clause for his prospective mid-season move, the media setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected from a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an tricky spot, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games over their previous two matches after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but facing a backline that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break although the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I am aware what he is able to offer me,” said the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox striker position.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup provided he manages to continue his goal-getting exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes compared to any English player in England's top division this campaign on six and is anxious to add to that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back needed as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side recently after five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four fixtures feature three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the league this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for The striker to produce for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's side require a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from this position, plus a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself as seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures against teams currently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against long balls and quick transitions that remains in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent for his club for a month after picking up a groin injury when making his second start in quick succession in the Champions League win in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match could have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
