Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is adapting well in west London after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill attention due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for a possible January departure, the media preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a winger with six finishes and three setups who is joyous to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an awkward position, having undergone a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined in their previous two games after an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa but confronting a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the national team
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Despite not knowing him, I am aware what he is able to give me,” said the England boss. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Having won the last of his 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally than any other English player in England's top division this campaign with six and is eager to add to that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five difficult years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four games include three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals this season this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from this position, along with a major boost in performance, and a chance presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus teams currently in the lower half of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus long balls and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent at club level for a month having sustained a muscle issue while his second start over a short period in continental competition victory in Germany. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
