Premier division: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another battle
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his skills in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to dinking a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger key to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation treatment amid a claimed £65m escape clause for a potential January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected from a winger who has six goals plus three assists and remains joyous to watch. However, his team are in an tricky situation, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games over their past two games following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet since August may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Despite not knowing him, I know what he could provide,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox centre-forward position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he manages to continue his goal-getting performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals than any other English player in the top flight this term with six and is anxious to increase that count when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back crucial as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five challenging years in north London, has become a regular starter, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. The Cottagers' next four games take in three among the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine scores in the league so far. A threat emerges for the club that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's team need a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from their current spot, as well as a significant upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself with seven from their upcoming ten league games against teams presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe win abroad. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
