Premier League: ten key points to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is adapting well in west London after his summer move from Manchester United and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill treatment due to a reported £65m release clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected from a attacker with six finishes plus three helpers who is delightful to watch. Still, his side are in an awkward position, having undergone a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined in their last two fixtures after an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however facing a defensive unit without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window although the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I understand what he is able to give me,” said the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional striker role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goal-getting exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally than any other English player in England's top division this campaign with six and will be anxious to increase that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back needed as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side recently after five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four fixtures feature three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's squad need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from here, along with a major upturn in results, and a chance presents itself with seven of their next 10 league games versus clubs currently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played for his club for a month having sustained a groin problem during his second consecutive start in four days in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking on Tuesday could have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
