Premier League: ten key points to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown may be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his skills against Wolves before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before dinking a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column focus due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for a possible winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable for a attacker who has six goals plus three assists and is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an tricky spot, having undergone a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one combined over their past two games following an strong start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but facing a backline lacking a clean sheet for months could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I know what he can give me,” said the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional striker position.” Earning the last of his 42 caps several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup provided he can maintain his scoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes compared to any English performer in the top flight this season with six and is anxious to boost that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side recently following five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer last season, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. Fulham's next four matches feature three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine strikes in the league to date. A threat emerges for the club that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's side must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from here, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity emerges with seven of their following ten Premier League matches versus teams currently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display against long balls and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has been absent at club level over four weeks following a groin injury when making his second start in quick succession in the Champions League victory in Germany. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
