Premier League: ten key points to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new battle
Another northwest showdown might be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from the Red Devils and showcased his skills in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to dinking a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill focus due to a alleged £65m release clause for a possible January departure, the tabloids preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected for a winger who has six goals plus three setups who is delightful to watch. However, his side find themselves in an awkward spot, having undergone a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate in their past two matches following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa but taking on a backline without a clean sheet since August might be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for the national team
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker reaches 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I know what he can offer me,” said the England coach. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional No 9 role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes than any other English footballer in the top flight this term with six and remains keen to add to that tally when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back needed as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side last year following five difficult years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver in a creative role instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four fixtures include three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals in the league to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's team must have a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from here, as well as a major improvement in form, and opportunity emerges as seven out of their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus sides at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus direct play and quick transitions that will be under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not featured for his club in a month having sustained a groin injury during his second start over a short period in continental competition triumph in Germany. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking in that match might have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
