Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh clash
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his talents against Wolves prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine netted for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column treatment following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected for a wide player with six goals and three setups who is pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an tricky situation, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one over two games over their past two fixtures following an strong start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but confronting a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside option for the national team
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he can provide,” said the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional striker position.” Earning the final 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals over every other English player in England's top division this term on six and will be anxious to add to that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team recently after five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank in the absence of 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 top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last time round. Fulham's next four fixtures include three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals this season this season. A threat emerges for a team that have built a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's team need a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from this position, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity arises as seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches against clubs at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus direct play and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured at club level for a month having sustained a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition win in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
