Premier division: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another clash
A Mancunian rematch might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is adapting well in west London following his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his talents versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger key to halting Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill focus following a alleged £65m buyout clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. That is to be expected from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three setups and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an awkward position, having undergone a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate in their past two matches after an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence lacking a goalless game since August may prove the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for England
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I understand what he can provide,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional striker role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals over every other English performer in the Premier League this campaign having six and remains anxious to boost that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back needed as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club recently after five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four games take in three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the league to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's squad require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from here, along with a major boost in performance, and the possibility arises as seven out of their next 10 league games facing sides at the moment in the lower half of the table. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display against direct play and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action for a month after picking up a groin injury while his second start in quick succession in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
