Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before lofting a cross toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster netted for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill focus amid a reported £65m buyout clause for a prospective January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable from a wide player who has six goals plus three setups who is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an tricky position, experiencing a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate in their past two matches after an promising start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defence lacking a clean sheet since August might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker an outside shout for England
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break although the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Without even knowing him, I know what he is able to provide,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox No 9 role.” Earning the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally compared to any English player in the Premier League this season with six and remains eager to add to that tally when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back needed as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team recently after five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, driving down the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. Fulham's following four fixtures feature three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes this season to date. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's team require a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from here, plus a significant upturn in results, and opportunity arises with seven of their following ten league games versus teams at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display against direct play and counterattacks that will be in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent at club level for a month after picking up a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in Europe triumph in Germany. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match would have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
