Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker set for a new battle
A Manchester reunion could be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is adapting well in west London following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration and a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? When the former found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation treatment following a claimed £65m escape clause for his prospective January departure, the media positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable from a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his side are in an awkward situation, having engaged in a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games over their last two games after an promising start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker an outside option for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he could provide,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Gaining the final 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his goal-getting performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals compared to any English performer in England's top division this campaign on six and is keen to boost that total as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team recently after five tough years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four games include three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for the club that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's team require a sustained recovery to enter the championship chase from this position, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and opportunity arises as seven from their following ten league games versus sides presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus long balls and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action in a month after picking up a muscle issue when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe victory in Germany. He reappeared off the bench in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient