Premier League: ten key points to watch for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new clash
A Manchester reunion could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities against Wolves prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine scored for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill attention following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a prospective winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three setups who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an awkward spot, experiencing a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate over their last two fixtures following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional centre-forward role.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup provided he can continue his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals over every other English footballer in the top flight this term on six and is keen to increase that total when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back needed as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team recently following five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. The Cottagers' next four fixtures include three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for the club that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for The striker to perform for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's team need a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from here, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility arises with seven out of their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing teams presently in the lower half of the table. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not featured for his club for a month having sustained a groin problem during his second consecutive start in four days in Europe victory abroad. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
