Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion may be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle in west London following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before dinking a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the youngster netted for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill attention due to a reported £65m release clause for a prospective January departure, the media preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three assists and is pleasurable to watch. Still, his side are in an difficult spot, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games over their past two fixtures following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa however taking on a backline without a clean sheet for months could be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I understand what he is able to give me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional striker role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals compared to any English player in the Premier League this season with six and is keen to add to that count when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back crucial as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought some comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his former side recently following five difficult years at Tottenham, is now a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' next four matches take in three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the league to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's squad must have a prolonged upturn to enter the league contest from this position, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility arises with seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus sides currently in the bottom half of the table. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against direct play and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin injury while his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
