Premier League: ten key points to watch for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker set for another encounter
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents against Wolves before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster scored for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column treatment amid a alleged £65m buyout clause for a prospective mid-season move, the media positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and is pleasurable to watch. However, his side occupy an tricky situation, having engaged in a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate over their last two matches after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa however confronting a backline without a goalless game for months may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker an outside shout for the national team
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I know what he could give me,” stated the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Gaining the final 42 caps several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he manages to continue his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes over every other English player in the Premier League this term on six and will be keen to boost that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side recently following five tough years in north London, is now a consistent pick, operating on the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' following four games feature three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes this season so far. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's side require a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from here, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself as seven out of their upcoming ten league games versus sides currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against long balls and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent at club level for a month after picking up a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition win abroad. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
