Premier League: ten key points to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh battle
Another northwest showdown might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to lofting a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the former netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger crucial to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill focus following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected for a wide player with six goals plus three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. However, his side find themselves in an awkward situation, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games over their past two fixtures following an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet confronting a backline lacking a clean sheet since August might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside option for the national team
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he could provide,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional striker position.” Having won the last of his 42 England games several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his scoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes compared to any English player in England's top division this term with six and is anxious to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back crucial as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five challenging years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, operating on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures feature three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for a team that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's team need a prolonged upturn to enter the league contest from here, plus a significant upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself with seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance versus long balls and counterattacks that will be in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action in a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League victory in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match could have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
