Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his abilities in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before chipping a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster scored for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column focus due to a alleged £65m release clause for his potential winter exit, the gossip columns preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected for a wide player with six goals and three helpers and remains joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an tricky position, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate in their past two games after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa however confronting a backline without a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for England
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I know what he can provide,” commented the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional centre-forward role.” Earning the final 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup if he can continue his goal-getting performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally than any other English player in the top flight this term having six and will be eager to boost that count when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back needed as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club last year after five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. Fulham's upcoming four matches feature three among the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes in the league to date. A threat emerges for a team that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The manager's team need a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from here, along with a major improvement in form, and a chance emerges with seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs presently in the bottom half in the league. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and quick transitions that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent for his club over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
