Premier League: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another encounter
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and showcased his talents in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before dinking a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the former found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column treatment due to a reported £65m escape clause for his prospective mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable for a attacker with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky position, having engaged in a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate in their previous two games after an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa however taking on a backline lacking a goalless game since August may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside option for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I know what he is able to provide,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional No 9 role.” Having won the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup provided he manages to continue his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals over every other English player in the Premier League this campaign having six and remains eager to add to that count as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club last year following five tough years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four fixtures feature three among the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the Premier League this season. Danger looms for the club that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's squad must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from this position, as well as a significant improvement in form, and a chance arises as seven out of their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing clubs at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent at club level in a month after picking up a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
