Premier League: ten key points to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to lofting a ball to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine scored for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column attention amid a reported £65m escape clause for his prospective winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. This is to be expected from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an awkward spot, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 over two games in their past two fixtures after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for the Three Lions
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he could provide,” stated the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional striker position.” Having won the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes over every other English footballer in the top flight this term having six and will be eager to increase that count when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club recently after five challenging years with Spurs, is now a regular starter, operating on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures include three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals in the league this season. A threat emerges for a side that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's side need a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from here, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance presents itself with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus sides at the moment in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent in domestic action for a month after picking up a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
