Premier division: ten key points to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a perfect low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former netted for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
The winger vital to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column treatment due to a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. That is predictable for a attacker who has six finishes plus three setups who is delightful to watch. However, his team occupy an awkward situation, having undergone a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games in their past two fixtures after an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa but taking on a backline without a clean sheet for months might be the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” stated the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional centre-forward role.” Having won the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he can sustain his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals over every other English footballer in the top flight this season having six and remains eager to boost that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side recently after five tough years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, driving down the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four matches include three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores this season this season. Danger looms for the club that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's side must have a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from their current spot, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility emerges with seven out of their following ten league games against sides currently in the bottom half in the league. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured for his club over four weeks after picking up a groin problem when making his second start in quick succession in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
