Premier division: ten key points to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another clash
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to chipping a ball toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column focus amid a reported £65m release clause for his potential January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. That is predictable from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists and is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an awkward spot, having undergone a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 over two games over their previous two games after an promising start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout since August may prove the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for England
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window even though the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I understand what he could provide,” commented the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional striker role.” Having won the last of his 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally than any other English player in the top flight this campaign with six and remains keen to increase that total as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team recently after five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches include three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes this season to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's team need a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from this position, plus a significant boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself with seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus sides at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has not played at club level over four weeks after picking up a groin injury when making his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe triumph abroad. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
