Premier division: ten key points to look out for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before chipping a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the former netted for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill focus amid a claimed ÂŁ65m buyout clause for his potential mid-season move, the tabloids positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected for a attacker with six goals and three setups and remains delightful to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an difficult position, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined in their past two fixtures following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi MartĂnez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa however confronting a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game since August could be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for England
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he could give me,” stated the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional No 9 position.” Earning the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup assuming he can sustain his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes over every other English performer in the Premier League this term with six and remains anxious to boost that count when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team last year after five challenging years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. Fulham's next four games take in three among the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals in the league this season. Danger looms for the club that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's team must have a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from their current spot, plus a major boost in performance, and opportunity arises with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus teams at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's performance against aerial passes and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played for his club over four weeks after picking up a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition win in Germany. He reappeared off the bench in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday would have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient