Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh clash
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his skills against Wolves before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation treatment amid a claimed £65m buyout clause for his prospective January departure, the media positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and remains joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky position, having undergone a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games over their past two matches after an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a defence lacking a shutout for months could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for the national team
It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I know what he could offer me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup assuming he can maintain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes over every other English footballer in England's top division this campaign having six and is eager to add to that count when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side recently following five difficult years in north London, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four games include three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes in the league this season. Danger looms for a side that have earned a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for The striker to deliver for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The manager's squad require a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from this position, along with a major boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself as seven from their next 10 Premier League matches against clubs currently in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured at club level in a month after picking up a muscle issue during his second start in quick succession in the Champions League victory in Germany. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
