Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another clash
Another northwest showdown may be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster scored for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
The winger key to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete gossip column focus amid a alleged £65m buyout clause for his prospective mid-season move, the media positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable for a winger who has six goals and three assists who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth find themselves in an difficult situation, having engaged in a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate over their last two games following an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet confronting a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game for months may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field choice for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he can provide,” commented the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he can maintain his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals compared to any English footballer in England's top division this season with six and is anxious to add to that count when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side last year after five challenging years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. Fulham's following four fixtures include three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's squad must have a consistent improvement to enter the title race from this position, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance arises with seven from their following ten Premier League matches facing teams currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent in domestic action over four weeks having sustained a groin injury during his second start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match might have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
