Premier League: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster found the net for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete transfer speculation focus amid a reported £65m release clause for a prospective mid-season move, the tabloids positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected from a attacker with six finishes and three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an tricky situation, having engaged in a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate over their past two matches after an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa but taking on a backline without a clean sheet for months could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker a surprise option for the Three Lions
It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he can give me,” stated the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 position.” Gaining the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup if he manages to continue his scoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals over every other English performer in England's top division this campaign having six and remains eager to add to that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five tough years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures include three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine strikes in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's side must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the title race from their current spot, along with a major improvement in form, and a chance emerges with seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures versus teams presently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played for his club in a month following a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking on Tuesday could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
