Premier division: ten key points to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker has started to settle in west London after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before lofting a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine netted for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation treatment following a reported £65m buyout clause for his prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable from a attacker with six finishes and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. Still, his side are in an awkward spot, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined in their last two games after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit without a goalless game since August could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside option for the Three Lions
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he is able to give me,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox striker position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup if he can maintain his goal-getting exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes over every other English performer in the top flight this season with six and remains anxious to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team last year following five challenging years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four games include three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals in the league so far. A threat emerges for the club that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for The striker to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's squad need a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, as well as a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance arises as seven out of their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus clubs at the moment in the lower half of the table. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display against direct play and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action for a month after picking up a muscle issue during his second start in quick succession in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
