Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the former scored for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire gossip column focus following a reported £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the tabloids positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes and three setups and remains joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an tricky position, having engaged in a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined in their last two matches following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but taking on a defence lacking a goalless game since August may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” commented the England boss. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox striker position.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally over every other English player in the Premier League this term having six and remains anxious to increase that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team recently after five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four games feature three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals in the league this season. Danger looms for the club that have developed a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side need a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from here, along with a significant boost in performance, and a chance emerges as seven from their next 10 league games against teams currently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured for his club over four weeks following a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient