Premier League: ten key points to look out for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker set for a new battle
A Manchester reunion might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his talents in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to chipping a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the former found the net for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill focus following a alleged £65m escape clause for his possible January departure, the media positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and remains delightful to watch. Still, his team are in an awkward position, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate in their last two matches after an promising opening 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 for months might be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker an outside shout for the national team
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I know what he can provide,” stated the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional centre-forward role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goal-getting performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals over every other English performer in the Premier League this season having six and is keen to boost that total when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his youth team last year after five tough years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man last season, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four fixtures take in three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's side must have a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from here, as well as a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself as seven from their following ten league games facing teams currently in the lower half in the standings. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus long balls and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start in four days in continental competition triumph abroad. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
