Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for another battle
Another northwest showdown could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his skills against Wolves prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before chipping a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to halting Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill focus due to a reported £65m release clause for a potential January departure, the tabloids preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable for a wide player with six goals and three helpers and remains delightful to watch. Still, his side occupy an tricky situation, having engaged in a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined in their past two matches following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet taking on a defence without a goalless game since August may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for the national team
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Earning the final 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes over every other English footballer in the top flight this season on six and will be eager to boost that total when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who returned to his youth team recently following five challenging years in north London, has become a regular starter, driving down the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man in the last term, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches take in three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals this season to date. A threat emerges for a side that have built a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's side require a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from this position, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance emerges as seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches against teams at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against direct play and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent at club level over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe win abroad. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
