Premier League: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine netted for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete transfer speculation focus following a alleged £65m buyout clause for his possible mid-season move, the media setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is pleasurable to watch. However, his team occupy an tricky situation, having undergone a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games in their past two matches following an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet taking on a backline lacking a goalless game for months may prove the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not being familiar with him, I am aware what he could give me,” said the England coach. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional No 9 role.” Having won the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup if he can sustain his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has additional strikes compared to any English player in England's top division this season with six and is anxious to boost that tally as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back required as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club last year after five challenging years in north London, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four matches feature three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's team require a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from this position, as well as a significant boost in performance, and a chance presents itself with seven from their upcoming ten league games against clubs presently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display against direct play and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent at club level over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue when making his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
