Premier League: ten key points to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker set for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his abilities against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the former found the net for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete gossip column attention following a claimed ÂŁ65m escape clause for his prospective January departure, the tabloids setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected from a wide player with six finishes plus three assists and is pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth are in an awkward spot, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate over their previous two games following an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi MartĂnez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa however facing a backline lacking a goalless game since August may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside shout for the national team
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Despite not being familiar with him, I am aware what he can provide,” said the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional No 9 position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup provided he manages to continue his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals compared to any English performer in the Premier League this campaign having six and is anxious to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided some positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five difficult years in north London, is now a consistent pick, driving down the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man in the last term, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches include three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for the club that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's team must have a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from here, plus a significant improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself as seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing sides at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus long balls and fast breaks that will be in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured for his club for a month following a groin problem when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League triumph abroad. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient