Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new encounter
A Manchester reunion could be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before lofting a ball toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation treatment due to a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected for a attacker with six goals plus three setups and is delightful to watch. However, his team find themselves in an awkward situation, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven-one combined in their previous two fixtures following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defence without a shutout since August might be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker an outside option for England
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he can offer me,” said the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox striker role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally over every other English performer in the top flight this term on six and remains eager to add to that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side recently after five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he's also their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last time round. Fulham's upcoming four games feature three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's squad require a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from their current spot, plus a major boost in performance, and opportunity emerges with seven of their following ten Premier League matches facing clubs currently in the lower half of the table. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display against long balls and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not played for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin problem when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
