Premier division: ten key points to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new battle
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his talents in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column treatment due to a reported £65m escape clause for a possible winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an awkward position, having engaged in a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate in their past two matches following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a backline without a clean sheet since August may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside option for the national team
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker reaches 35 soon. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he can offer me,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the final 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup if he can continue his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals compared to any English player in England's top division this term having six and will be keen to boost that total when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side recently after five tough years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four games take in three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals this season this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for The striker to deliver for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's side must have a consistent improvement to enter the championship chase from their current spot, along with a major improvement in form, and the possibility emerges with seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches against teams currently in the lower half in the standings. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action for a month following a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe triumph abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
