Premier division: ten key points to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well in west London following his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of how quickly things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
The winger key to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire transfer speculation attention due to a alleged £65m escape clause for his potential winter exit, the media setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected for a winger with six goals plus three helpers who is joyous to watch. However, his team are in an awkward situation, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate in their last two games after an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa yet confronting a defensive unit without a goalless game since August may prove the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field option for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I know what he could offer me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox No 9 position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals over every other English player in the Premier League this term with six and will be eager to boost that tally as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back crucial as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club last year after five difficult years in north London, has become a regular starter, driving down the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four fixtures include three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals this season this season. Danger looms for the club that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's side require a consistent improvement to enter the title race from this position, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself with seven from their next 10 Premier League matches against clubs presently in the bottom half in the standings. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and quick transitions that is in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent at club level for a month after picking up a groin injury while his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
