Premier League: ten key points to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for another encounter
Another northwest showdown might be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to lofting a delivery to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine scored for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill attention due to a claimed £65m release clause for his possible mid-season move, the media preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable from a wide player with six goals and three assists and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side are in an awkward position, having undergone a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined over their last two matches after an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defence without a goalless game since August may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a surprise shout for the national team
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break although the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” stated the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox striker role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals over every other English footballer in England's top division this season on six and will be keen to increase that total when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his former side last year following five tough years in north London, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups last season. Fulham's following four games take in three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's squad require a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, along with a major improvement in form, and a chance presents itself with seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures against clubs presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent at club level for a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second consecutive start in four days in Europe win in Germany. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but was rested the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
