Premier division: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another encounter
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before dinking a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the former scored for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column attention due to a alleged £65m release clause for his possible January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected from a winger with a half-dozen strikes plus three assists who is joyous to watch. Still, his side are in an tricky situation, experiencing a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven to one combined in their past two games after an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a defence without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a surprise option for the national team
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he could give me,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup provided he can sustain his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes than any other English footballer in the top flight this season having six and will be anxious to add to that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team last year following five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, driving down the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' next four fixtures take in three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals in the league so far. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's side must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, plus a significant boost in performance, and opportunity arises as seven from their next 10 league games facing teams currently in the lower half of the table. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus direct play and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent at club level for a month having sustained a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient