Premier League: ten key points to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new battle
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle in west London after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before lofting a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill attention due to a claimed ÂŁ65m buyout clause for his possible January departure, the tabloids setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is understandable for a attacker who has six finishes and three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an tricky situation, experiencing a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate over their past two fixtures following an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi MartĂnez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit without a shutout since August might be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker a left-field shout for the national team
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he can give me,” stated the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional No 9 position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup if he can maintain his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally compared to any English performer in England's top division this campaign on six and remains eager to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side last year after five challenging years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four games include three among the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes this season to date. Danger looms for a team that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's team need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from this position, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance presents itself as seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures against clubs presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against long balls and quick transitions that remains in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured at club level over four weeks after picking up a groin injury when making his second start in quick succession in Europe triumph abroad. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
