Premier League: ten key points to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another encounter
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his abilities against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster netted for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation focus following a alleged £65m buyout clause for his prospective January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable for a attacker who has six goals plus three assists and is joyous to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky position, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games over their previous two matches following an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet for months may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker an outside choice for the national team
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he is able to offer me,” said the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox striker position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he can continue his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes over every other English footballer in the Premier League this season with six and remains eager to boost that count when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his former side last year following five tough years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for the club that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's squad require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from their current spot, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself as seven out of their following ten league games facing teams at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus aerial passes and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured at club level in a month after picking up a groin injury while his second start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
