Premier division: ten key points to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new battle
Another northwest showdown could be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle in west London after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his abilities against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a ideal grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the former netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column treatment amid a claimed £65m release clause for a prospective mid-season move, the media setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected from a attacker who has six goals plus three assists who is pleasurable to watch. Still, his team occupy an difficult spot, having undergone a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate over their past two matches following an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a surprise shout for the national team
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause although the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he can provide,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional No 9 position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally over every other English player in England's top division this season on six and remains keen to boost that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side recently after five challenging years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes in the league this season. Danger looms for a team that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a significant improvement in form, and the possibility emerges as seven of their next 10 Premier League matches versus sides at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing long balls and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action for a month following a groin problem when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League win in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but was rested the midweek meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient