Premier League: ten key points to watch for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new clash
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration and a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before lofting a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster netted for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete transfer speculation treatment amid a reported £65m release clause for his prospective January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable for a attacker with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is pleasurable to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an tricky position, having undergone a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games over their past two games after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a defence lacking a goalless game for months could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker an outside shout for the national team
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break although the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I know what he could provide,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Having won the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals compared to any English player in the Premier League this term having six and is keen to boost that count as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five challenging years with Spurs, is now a regular starter, operating on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures include three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for a team that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for The striker to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's team must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from this position, plus a major improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself with seven of their following ten Premier League matches against teams at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against direct play and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not featured at club level for a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second start in quick succession in continental competition triumph abroad. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match might have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
