Premier division: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker set for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine found the net for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation attention following a alleged £65m buyout clause for a possible mid-season move, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected for a attacker who has six goals and three assists and is joyous to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an awkward position, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate in their last two games after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet facing a defence lacking a clean sheet since August may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a left-field shout for England
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he could offer me,” stated the England boss. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional striker position.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goal-getting exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes compared to any English player in the Premier League this season with six and remains anxious to increase that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club recently after five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man in the last term, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' next four fixtures feature three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes in the league to date. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's side require a sustained recovery to enter the championship chase from here, along with a major boost in performance, and a chance presents itself as seven from their following ten Premier League matches versus teams at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing against direct play and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured at club level in a month following a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League win in Germany. Isak returned as a substitute in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
