Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another clash
A Mancunian rematch could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine found the net for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column attention amid a alleged £65m release clause for a possible mid-season move, the media setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is understandable from a winger with six finishes and three setups and is joyous to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky spot, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined in their past two matches following an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field choice for England
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break although the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he can offer me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox striker role.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his scoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this season with six and remains keen to increase that total as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back crucial as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side last year after five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. Fulham's upcoming four games feature three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad need a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from their current spot, as well as a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility emerges with seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against sides presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus long balls and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured at club level in a month after picking up a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
