Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is adapting well in west London following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities against Wolves before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to lofting a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation focus following a alleged £65m buyout clause for a possible mid-season move, the media positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an tricky spot, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate over their past two games following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however taking on a defensive unit lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a left-field option for the Three Lions
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he can give me,” stated the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional striker role.” Earning the final 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup provided he can maintain his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes compared to any English footballer in the top flight this term with six and will be anxious to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team last year after five tough years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four matches include three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a team that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's team require a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from this position, as well as a significant boost in performance, and the possibility emerges with seven from their upcoming ten league games against teams presently in the bottom half in the standings. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not featured in domestic action in a month having sustained a groin injury during his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
