Premier division: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another clash
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column treatment due to a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective mid-season move, the media positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists and remains delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side are in an tricky situation, experiencing a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games in their past two matches following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game for months may prove the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he could provide,” said the England coach. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox striker role.” Earning the final 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can sustain his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes than any other English footballer in the Premier League this season having six and will be eager to add to that count when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team last year following five challenging years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer last season, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches take in three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes this season to date. Danger looms for a side that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for The striker to perform for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's side require a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from here, as well as a major upturn in results, and opportunity arises with seven from their following ten Premier League matches versus clubs presently in the bottom half of the table. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against direct play and counterattacks that is in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action in a month following a muscle issue during his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League triumph abroad. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient