Premier division: ten key points to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his skills in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column focus following a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers who is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an difficult spot, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games in their previous two fixtures after an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa however facing a defence that hasn't kept a shutout for months could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside option for the national team
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he could give me,” said the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Having won the final 42 England games several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals over every other English player in England's top division this term on six and will be anxious to boost that count when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back needed as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team recently after five difficult years at Tottenham, is now a first-team fixture, operating on the left in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four games take in three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to produce for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's team need a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from here, plus a significant upturn in results, and the possibility arises as seven out of their next 10 league games against teams presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus direct play and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action over four weeks following a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
