Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea following his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, replicating his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former found the net for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill treatment following a reported £65m escape clause for his possible mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable from a winger who has six finishes and three assists and remains joyous to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an awkward spot, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games over their last two games after an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for England
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I know what he is able to offer me,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup if he can maintain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally compared to any English player in the Premier League this season on six and remains keen to boost that tally as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team last year after five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four games take in three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the league so far. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for The striker to perform for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's team need a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from this position, as well as a significant boost in performance, and a chance arises as seven out of their following ten Premier League matches versus sides currently in the bottom half in the league. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against long balls and fast breaks that is in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action over four weeks following a muscle issue during his second start in quick succession in Europe win in Germany. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
