Premier League: ten key points to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before lofting a ball to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the former found the net for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation treatment following a reported £65m buyout clause for his potential mid-season move, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected for a wide player with six goals plus three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an difficult spot, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate over their previous two matches after an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa but taking on a defence that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I know what he could provide,” said the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goal-getting exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes than any other English performer in England's top division this term having six and remains keen to increase that total when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' next four matches take in three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a team that have developed a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from their current spot, plus a major improvement in form, and the possibility emerges as seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures facing teams at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus long balls and quick transitions that remains in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has not played at club level for a month having sustained a muscle issue when making his second start in quick succession in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient