Premier League: ten key points to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh battle
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his skills in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to dinking a ball toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster netted for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill focus following a reported £65m release clause for his potential January departure, the tabloids setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected from a wide player who has six finishes and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. However, his team occupy an tricky spot, experiencing a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 over two games in their last two games following an strong start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game since August may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” said the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional centre-forward role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally than any other English player in England's top division this season having six and will be anxious to increase that count as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back required as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side last year following five challenging years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' following four matches include three among the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's side require a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from this position, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance arises as seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing clubs presently in the lower half of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured in domestic action in a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second start in quick succession in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
