Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another encounter
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle in west London after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before dinking a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former found the net for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill focus due to a reported £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the media setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable from a attacker with six finishes and three assists who is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an awkward position, having undergone a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 over two games over their previous two matches following an strong start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet for months might be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field choice for England
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he can give me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional striker role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has additional strikes than any other English performer in England's top division this season on six and will be keen to boost that total when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side last year after five difficult years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, operating on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' next four fixtures include three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals in the league so far. Danger looms for a side that have built a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's team must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from here, plus a major boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten league games facing teams presently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against direct play and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent for his club in a month having sustained a groin injury while his second start over a short period in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
