Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another encounter
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before lofting a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill treatment due to a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective mid-season move, the media preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. This is to be expected for a attacker with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an tricky spot, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games over their last two matches after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit without a clean sheet for months might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside option for the Three Lions
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton striker reaches 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he can provide,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals than any other English player in the Premier League this season having six and will be keen to boost that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team recently after five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four games take in three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's side require a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a significant improvement in form, and a chance emerges with seven of their following ten Premier League matches facing teams presently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and counterattacks that will be in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action over four weeks following a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League victory abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
