Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh clash
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet in west London after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation treatment following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected for a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an difficult spot, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined in their last two games after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit without a goalless game since August might be the best solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker an outside option for the Three Lions
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break although the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I understand what he could provide,” said the England coach. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox striker role.” Earning the final 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals than any other English player in England's top division this season having six and is anxious to boost that total when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club recently after five difficult years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. Fulham's upcoming four games take in three among the top five and Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals in the league to date. Danger looms for a side that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for The striker to perform for the Merseyside club
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's side must have a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from here, along with a major boost in performance, and the possibility emerges with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus teams presently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display against long balls and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin injury while his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League victory abroad. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his availability for the World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
