Premier division: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another encounter
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet in west London following his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to dinking a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine netted for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill treatment amid a claimed £65m release clause for his potential winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected for a attacker who has six goals and three helpers who is joyous to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky position, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate over their previous two games after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet confronting a defensive unit without a goalless game since August may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a left-field option for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break even though the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he can offer me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional No 9 role.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals compared to any English player in the Premier League this term on six and is anxious to boost that total when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back needed as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five tough years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, operating on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. Fulham's following four games take in three among the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine strikes in the league this season. A threat emerges for a team that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's side need a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from here, as well as a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance emerges as seven out of their next 10 league games versus teams currently in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing direct play and counterattacks that remains in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent at club level over four weeks following a muscle issue during his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition triumph abroad. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
