Premier League: ten key points to watch for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker set for another clash
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a ideal grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a ball toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine scored for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill treatment due to a alleged ÂŁ65m release clause for a possible winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and is delightful to watch. However, his side occupy an difficult position, experiencing a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate over their previous two games after an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi MartĂnez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet facing a defence lacking a clean sheet for months may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker an outside option for England
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I am aware what he can provide,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup provided he can continue his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes than any other English footballer in the top flight this term having six and is eager to boost that total as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five challenging years in north London, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' next four matches feature three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores this season so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's team require a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from this position, plus a significant boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself as seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches against teams presently in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing long balls and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played for his club over four weeks following a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition triumph abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
