Premier division: ten key points to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another clash
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his skills in the Wolves match before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the former found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill attention amid a reported £65m escape clause for his potential winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable for a winger with six goals and three assists and remains joyous to watch. Still, his team are in an tricky situation, having engaged in a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate in their last two fixtures following an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa however facing a defensive unit lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker an outside option for England
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he could provide,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional No 9 role.” Earning the last of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he can continue his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals compared to any English performer in the Premier League this term with six and will be anxious to increase that count when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five tough years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. Fulham's upcoming four matches include three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for the club that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for The striker to perform for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from this position, plus a major upturn in results, and the possibility arises with seven of their following ten Premier League matches facing clubs currently in the bottom half in the league. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured at club level in a month after picking up a groin injury when making his second start in four days in the Champions League triumph in Germany. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
