Premier division: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another encounter
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to chipping a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation treatment following a reported £65m release clause for a prospective mid-season move, the tabloids positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected for a winger with six finishes plus three helpers who is delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky spot, having undergone a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate in their past two matches after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but facing a defence lacking a goalless game since August could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside option for the national team
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I understand what he could offer me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional No 9 position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals than any other English performer in the top flight this campaign on six and will be eager to boost that total as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side last year after five tough years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four games include three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine scores in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for a team that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to produce for the Reds
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's team need a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from this position, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility arises as seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against teams at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played for his club over four weeks following a groin problem during his second start in four days in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but missed the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient