Premier League: ten key points to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a new battle
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet in west London following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before lofting a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill attention amid a claimed £65m release clause for his possible January departure, the media positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected for a winger who has six goals plus three helpers and is delightful to watch. However, his side occupy an awkward situation, having undergone a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined in their last two fixtures after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defence lacking a goalless game since August may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field option for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window although the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional striker position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally compared to any English player in the Premier League this term having six and is eager to boost that total when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side recently after five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver in a creative role in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three among the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals this season to date. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's team need a consistent improvement to enter the championship chase from their current spot, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility arises with seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing clubs currently in the lower half in the league. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display against aerial passes and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action for a month after picking up a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
