Premier League: ten key points to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho set for a new battle
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle in west London following his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his talents in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before dinking a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation treatment following a alleged £65m buyout clause for his possible winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected from a attacker with six goals and three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his side occupy an difficult situation, having undergone a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined over their previous two fixtures following an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa however facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field option for England
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he could provide,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox striker role.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals than any other English footballer in the Premier League this season with six and is eager to add to that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side last year after five tough years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four games feature three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals in the league so far. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for The striker to deliver for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's side must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from this position, along with a major improvement in form, and a chance presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten league games against sides at the moment in the lower half in the league. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against aerial passes and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played for his club over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue when making his second start in four days in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game might have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
