Premier division: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle in west London following his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his abilities against Wolves before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before lofting a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation attention due to a reported £65m buyout clause for his potential January departure, the media preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected from a wide player who has six finishes and three setups and is joyous to watch. However, his side are in an tricky situation, having undergone a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined over their last two games after an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but confronting a defence lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field option for England
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” commented the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox striker role.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals than any other English performer in England's top division this season having six and is anxious to boost that total when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side last year following five challenging years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. Fulham's following four matches include three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side must have a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from here, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance arises as seven out of their upcoming ten league games against teams presently in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus direct play and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured at club level for a month having sustained a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
