Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown could be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well in west London following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before chipping a cross toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the former netted for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column attention amid a alleged £65m buyout clause for a possible January departure, the media setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and is pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth are in an difficult position, experiencing a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined in their past two games after an strong start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet since August could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he can provide,” stated the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional centre-forward role.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup if he is able to continue his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals over every other English player in the top flight this term having six and is eager to boost that total as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his former side recently following five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four games take in three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's team need a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from their current spot, as well as a significant improvement in form, and a chance emerges with seven from their next 10 Premier League matches facing teams at the moment in the lower half in the league. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing long balls and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent for his club over four weeks following a groin problem when making his second start in four days in continental competition victory abroad. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking on Tuesday would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
