Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh clash
A Mancunian rematch could be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before dinking a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former scored for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation focus following a alleged £65m release clause for a possible mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable from a attacker with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and remains delightful to watch. Still, his team occupy an tricky spot, experiencing a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games in their last two games following an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a defence that hasn't kept a shutout for months may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 soon. “Without even knowing him, I am aware what he is able to offer me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional striker role.” Earning the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes than any other English performer in England's top division this season with six and is eager to boost that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back crucial as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team recently after five challenging years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes this season this season. Danger looms for a team that have developed a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for The striker to produce for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they fell to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The manager's side need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from this position, as well as a significant boost in performance, and a chance arises as seven from their following ten Premier League matches against sides at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus long balls and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not played for his club in a month having sustained a muscle issue when making his second start in four days in Europe triumph abroad. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
