Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another battle
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well in west London after his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his skills in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before dinking a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the former netted for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column focus amid a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected for a wide player with six goals and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an awkward position, having undergone a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate in their past two fixtures after an promising start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break even though the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he could offer me,” commented the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional striker position.” Having won the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally over every other English footballer in England's top division this term on six and remains eager to boost that tally when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club last year following five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. The Cottagers' following four fixtures take in three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine scores in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's team need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the title race from this position, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself with seven of their following ten league games against clubs at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action in a month having sustained a groin problem when making his second start in four days in the Champions League triumph in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
