Premier League: ten key points to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle in west London after his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a perfect low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before lofting a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column attention amid a claimed £65m escape clause for a potential January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected for a attacker with six finishes plus three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an awkward position, having undergone a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games over their last two games following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a backline lacking a clean sheet since August might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside option for England
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I know what he is able to give me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally over every other English player in England's top division this season with six and is keen to boost that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team recently following five tough years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four matches take in three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the Premier League this season. Danger looms for a team that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's team require a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from this position, as well as a significant upturn in results, and a chance presents itself as seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures against clubs presently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that is in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action for a month after picking up a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition win in Germany. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
