Premier division: ten key points to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new clash
Another northwest showdown might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well in west London following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before chipping a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the Argentine scored for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation treatment following a alleged £65m buyout clause for a prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. That is to be expected for a winger who has six goals and three setups who is pleasurable to watch. However, his side occupy an awkward situation, having engaged in a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games in their last two fixtures following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field option for the national team
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he can give me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional No 9 role.” Earning the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally over every other English player in England's top division this season on six and remains keen to increase that total when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team recently after five tough years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four matches take in three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals in the league so far. Danger looms for the club that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to perform for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's side require a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from this position, as well as a significant improvement in form, and the possibility arises with seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches versus teams at the moment in the lower half of the table. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and fast breaks that is in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played for his club for a month after picking up a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
