Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh battle
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well in west London after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before lofting a delivery to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the former scored for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete transfer speculation treatment amid a reported ÂŁ65m buyout clause for his prospective January departure, the tabloids positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable for a attacker with a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and remains joyous to watch. However, his team find themselves in an tricky position, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate over their past two games following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi MartĂnez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa however taking on a defence without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for England
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 soon. âDespite not knowing him, I understand what he is able to offer me,â commented the England manager. âHe might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional No 9 role.â Gaining the last of his 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes over every other English player in the Premier League this term having six and is keen to increase that count as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side recently after five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' next four matches include three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals in the league this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side need a prolonged upturn to enter the league contest from here, as well as a major upturn in results, and a chance presents itself as seven out of their upcoming ten league games facing sides currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that will be under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The ÂŁ125m striker has been absent for his club for a month having sustained a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
