Premier League: ten key points to watch for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before lofting a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete transfer speculation treatment due to a alleged £65m escape clause for a possible January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three assists who is pleasurable to watch. Still, his side are in an awkward situation, having undergone a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate over their past two fixtures following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August might be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the national team
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he is able to give me,” stated the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox striker role.” Having won the last of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup if he can sustain his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes compared to any English performer in the Premier League this term having six and is eager to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back required as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, operating on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four fixtures include three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the league so far. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's squad require a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility emerges with seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus sides currently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus direct play and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not featured for his club for a month after picking up a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
