Premier division: ten key points to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before lofting a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation attention following a alleged £65m buyout clause for a prospective winter exit, the media setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable for a attacker with six goals plus three assists and remains joyous to watch. However, his side find themselves in an difficult spot, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined in their past two games following an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit lacking a goalless game since August might be the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for England
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break even though the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he could offer me,” said the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional No 9 position.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this term with six and remains anxious to increase that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team recently after five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four matches include three among the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for the club that have earned a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's team require a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from here, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance arises with seven of their following ten Premier League matches facing clubs presently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing against direct play and quick transitions that remains under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The expensive signing has been absent at club level for a month having sustained a muscle issue while his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe win abroad. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
