Premier division: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another clash
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and showcased his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to dinking a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger crucial to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation attention amid a reported £65m release clause for a possible January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable for a wide player who has six goals and three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team find themselves in an awkward spot, experiencing a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined in their previous two games after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for England
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break although the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” said the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional centre-forward position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally over every other English player in England's top division this campaign having six and remains keen to increase that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back needed as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team last year following five challenging years in north London, has become a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups last time round. Fulham's next four matches take in three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals this season this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to produce 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 succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's side require a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from their current spot, as well as a significant boost in performance, and a chance presents itself with seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures facing sides currently in the lower half in the standings. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus long balls and quick transitions that remains under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured for his club in a month having sustained a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe victory abroad. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
