Premier League: ten key points to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho set for a new battle
Another northwest showdown may be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea after his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before chipping a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the former found the net for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column treatment due to a reported £65m escape clause for a possible January departure, the media setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers who is delightful to watch. Still, his side occupy an difficult situation, experiencing a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games in their past two games after an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet facing a defence lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field choice for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I understand what he is able to give me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 position.” Having won the final 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he can continue his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes than any other English performer in the top flight this season on six and remains eager to add to that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his former side last year after five challenging years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, operating on the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' following four fixtures include three among the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals in the league this season. Danger looms for a team that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's team must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from here, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance arises with seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing sides at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus direct play and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action for a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League win in Germany. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match would have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
