Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his talents versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration and a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the youngster netted for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column focus following a reported £65m buyout clause for his possible January departure, the media setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected from a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three assists and is joyous to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an difficult position, experiencing a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven to one combined in their last two fixtures after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however facing a backline lacking a goalless game for months may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise shout for the national team
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Despite not knowing him, I know what he could offer me,” stated the England coach. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional striker position.” Gaining the final 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally than any other English footballer in the top flight this term having six and will be anxious to increase that count when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back required as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who returned to his youth team recently after five difficult years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. Fulham's next four games include three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for a team that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for The striker to produce for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's team need a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from this position, plus a major improvement in form, and opportunity emerges with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures against teams at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display against long balls and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured in domestic action for a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition win in Germany. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
