Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to lofting a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster scored for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill attention due to a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective mid-season move, the tabloids positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an difficult spot, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined over their last two games following an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit without a shutout for months might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside choice for England
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I understand what he can offer me,” stated the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his scoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals compared to any English player in England's top division this term on six and will be anxious to boost that count as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side recently after five tough years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker last season, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four games include three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes this season so far. Danger looms for the club that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to produce for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's squad must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from their current spot, along with a major improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself as seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches against teams presently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against aerial passes and quick transitions that remains under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured in domestic action in a month having sustained a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup in four days in Europe win abroad. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
