Premier League: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker set for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Manchester United and showcased his abilities against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before chipping a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
The winger key to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill focus due to a reported £65m buyout clause for a prospective winter exit, the media preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and is joyous to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an tricky position, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one over two games over their last two games after an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a defence lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside option for the national team
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break although the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he could offer me,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional No 9 role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his goal-getting performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally compared to any English player in the Premier League this term with six and is keen to add to that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team recently following five difficult years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' following four fixtures include three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a side that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's squad must have a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from this position, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance presents itself as seven out of their following ten league games facing clubs currently in the lower half in the league. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent at club level over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue while his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League triumph in Germany. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient