Premier division: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another encounter
A Manchester reunion might be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to lofting a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation focus due to a reported £65m release clause for his possible mid-season move, the media setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable for a attacker who has six goals and three setups and remains delightful to watch. However, his side find themselves in an tricky position, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate over their past two games after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a backline lacking a clean sheet for months might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker an outside shout for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break although the Brighton striker reaches 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he can provide,” commented the England coach. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional centre-forward position.” Having won the final 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his goal-getting exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally compared to any English footballer in England's top division this season with six and remains keen to add to that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club recently after five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. Fulham's following four fixtures include three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes this season this season. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's team require a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from this position, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself with seven out of their following ten league games facing teams presently in the lower half in the league. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against long balls and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not featured for his club for a month having sustained a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition win abroad. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
