Premier division: ten key points to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch could be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet in west London following his summer move from Manchester United and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before dinking a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the former scored for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation treatment due to a reported £65m release clause for a potential mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable from a attacker who has six finishes and three assists and remains joyous to watch. Still, his side are in an difficult situation, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined in their past two games after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit without a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside shout for England
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I am aware what he can provide,” stated the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional centre-forward position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals than any other English performer in England's top division this campaign having six and remains eager to add to that total as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided some positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club recently after five tough years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures feature three among the top five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine scores this season so far. Danger looms for a team that have built a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Isak to produce for the Reds
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's team need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from their current spot, as well as a major upturn in results, and the possibility arises with seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing clubs presently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against direct play and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not featured at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin injury during his second start in quick succession in continental competition victory in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
