Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another clash
A Mancunian rematch may be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well in west London after his summer move from the Red Devils and showcased his talents against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the former found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger key to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill focus due to a alleged £65m release clause for his prospective January departure, the tabloids preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and remains joyous to watch. However, his team occupy an awkward position, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined in their previous two fixtures following an strong start to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game for months could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for England
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window although the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I know what he is able to provide,” said the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional No 9 position.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup if he can sustain his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes compared to any English footballer in the top flight this term with six and is eager to boost that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back required as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team recently following five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures feature three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes this season this season. Danger looms for the club that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's team must have a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from this position, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility arises as seven out of their next 10 league games versus clubs at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance against aerial passes and counterattacks that will be in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent in domestic action in a month following a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start in four days in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
