Premier League: ten key points to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another battle
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before dinking a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the youngster netted for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger vital to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation treatment following a alleged £65m release clause for his potential mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and is joyous to watch. However, his side occupy an tricky situation, having engaged in a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games over their previous two fixtures following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout for months may prove the perfect solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker an outside shout for England
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he could give me,” stated the England boss. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional striker role.” Gaining the final 42 England games several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goal-getting performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes over every other English performer in the Premier League this season having six and will be keen to add to that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back crucial as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his former side last year after five difficult years at Tottenham, is now a consistent pick, driving down the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man last season, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four games include three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes this season to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's side must have a consistent improvement to enter the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a significant upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself as seven out of their next 10 league games facing teams currently in the bottom half in the league. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus direct play and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured for his club over four weeks following a muscle issue during his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe victory in Germany. He reappeared from the bench in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
