Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new clash
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before chipping a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger vital to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill focus due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for a potential winter exit, the media preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and is pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an awkward spot, having engaged in a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven to one combined over their last two fixtures following an strong start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field option for the Three Lions
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window although the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he can offer me,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox striker role.” Earning the final 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup if he is able to sustain his scoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes compared to any English performer in England's top division this campaign with six and remains anxious to increase that total when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side recently after five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four matches include three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores this season this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The manager's side require a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from here, along with a significant upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself with seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures against clubs currently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue while his second start over a short period in continental competition triumph in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
