Premier division: ten key points to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another clash
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a perfect low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to lofting a ball to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column treatment following a reported £65m release clause for his prospective winter exit, the media positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a attacker with six finishes and three assists and is joyous to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an difficult situation, having undergone a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate in their past two games following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but taking on a backline without a goalless game since August might be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for England
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I understand what he could offer me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional striker role.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he can sustain his goal-getting performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally over every other English performer in the Premier League this campaign on six and will be anxious to boost that total when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team recently after five challenging years in north London, has become a regular starter, driving down the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four matches take in three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes this season this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad need a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from this position, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility emerges as seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs presently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and counterattacks that will be in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured at club level over four weeks following a muscle issue while his second consecutive start in four days in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
