Premier division: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho set for another clash
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet in west London after his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine scored for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation treatment following a alleged £65m release clause for a prospective January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected for a wide player who has six finishes and three assists and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an tricky position, experiencing a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one combined in their last two games following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa but confronting a backline without a clean sheet since August might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker an outside choice for England
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break even though the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he can provide,” said the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional No 9 position.” Having won the final 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals than any other English performer in England's top division this campaign on six and will be eager to increase that total as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team last year after five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. Fulham's following four games feature three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for the club that have developed a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's side need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from this position, along with a major improvement in form, and a chance arises as seven out of their following ten league games facing sides at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against long balls and fast breaks that is in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played at club level for a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe win in Germany. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
