Premier division: ten key points to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another battle
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a ideal grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to dinking a cross toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill focus amid a alleged £65m buyout clause for a possible mid-season move, the media preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is understandable from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and is joyous to watch. Still, his side are in an difficult situation, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate in their last two fixtures following an strong opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout for months may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he can offer me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional striker position.” Gaining the final 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup if he is able to continue his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes over every other English footballer in the top flight this season with six and is keen to increase that count as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team recently after five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four fixtures feature three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for The striker to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side must have a prolonged upturn to enter the league contest from this position, along with a major boost in performance, and the possibility arises as seven from their upcoming ten league games versus clubs presently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played for his club in a month following a groin problem during his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League win in Germany. He reappeared from the bench in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
