Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a new clash
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster netted for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation attention due to a reported £65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable from a winger with six finishes and three assists and is delightful to watch. However, his team find themselves in an awkward situation, experiencing a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate in their previous two matches following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window although the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I know what he could give me,” said the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the final 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup if he can sustain his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes than any other English footballer in the Premier League this term on six and remains eager to boost that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side last year following five challenging years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. Fulham's next four fixtures take in three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores this season this season. Danger looms for the club that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's team require a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from this position, along with a major boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself as seven of their next 10 Premier League matches against sides presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and quick transitions that remains in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not featured in domestic action in a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League victory abroad. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
