Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another clash
Another northwest showdown might be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle in west London following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before chipping a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the former netted for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger vital to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill treatment following a claimed £65m release clause for a prospective January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable for a attacker with six goals plus three setups who is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an difficult spot, having undergone a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined over their previous two fixtures following an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit lacking a shutout for months could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside option for England
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton striker reaches 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I know what he can provide,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional striker role.” Gaining the final 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his goal-getting exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes compared to any English performer in the top flight this term with six and remains eager to boost that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team recently following five tough years with Spurs, is now a regular starter, driving down the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' next four fixtures take in three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes this season this season. Danger looms for the club that have earned a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's side must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from their current spot, plus a significant boost in performance, and the possibility emerges as seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus teams at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing direct play and quick transitions that will be in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured for his club for a month having sustained a groin problem when making his second consecutive start in four days in continental competition win in Germany. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
