Premier League: ten key points to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet in west London following his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his skills in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to dinking a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation attention due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for a possible winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and remains joyous to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky situation, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate over their last two games following an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit lacking a goalless game since August might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he could give me,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional striker role.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup if he can sustain his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes than any other English performer in the Premier League this season with six and remains anxious to boost that total when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back needed as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his former side last year after five tough years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four games include three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores this season to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's side must have a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from their current spot, along with a major boost in performance, and the possibility arises as seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches against teams currently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus long balls and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action in a month after picking up a groin problem when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition triumph abroad. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match might have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
