Premier division: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh battle
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his talents against Wolves before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to chipping a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster netted for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill attention following a claimed £65m buyout clause for his potential January departure, the tabloids preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a wide player who has six finishes and three setups and remains joyous to watch. However, his team are in an awkward situation, experiencing a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games in their past two games after an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet confronting a backline that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise shout for the national team
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he can give me,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional No 9 role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has additional strikes over every other English player in the top flight this season with six and will be anxious to add to that total as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team last year after five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man last season, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine strikes this season this season. Danger looms for a side that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for The striker to perform for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's team need a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from their current spot, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity emerges with seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against sides currently in the bottom half in the standings. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus long balls and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played at club level over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue during his second consecutive start in four days in Europe triumph in Germany. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
