Premier division: ten key points to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another encounter
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle in west London after his summer move from Manchester United and showcased his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? During the former found the net for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill attention following a claimed £65m release clause for his prospective January departure, the media setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected for a winger who has six goals plus three setups and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an difficult situation, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined in their last two fixtures after an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet confronting a defensive unit without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for England
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I am aware what he can give me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional striker position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes compared to any English performer in the Premier League this term on six and is keen to increase that count when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has brought some positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team last year after five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, operating on the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer last season, has scored 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 a creator instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. Fulham's upcoming four matches include three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the league so far. Danger looms for a side that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's team need a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from here, plus a major improvement in form, and opportunity emerges with seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus sides currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus aerial passes and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured at club level for a month following a muscle issue while his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe triumph abroad. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
