Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before chipping a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster netted for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation attention due to a reported £65m buyout clause for his potential mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable for a attacker with six goals plus three helpers who is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an difficult spot, having undergone a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one combined over their previous two games following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but confronting a backline lacking a goalless game since August might be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for the national team
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Despite not knowing him, I know what he could give me,” said the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox striker position.” Gaining the final 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally compared to any English player in the Premier League this term with six and is eager to add to that total as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team last year following five tough years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for the club that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's squad must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from this position, along with a significant upturn in results, and opportunity emerges with seven from their next 10 Premier League matches facing clubs presently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not featured at club level over four weeks following a muscle issue during his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe triumph in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
